We are working on Big Things this year with all my leadership clients. The energy of stepping up and leaning in is rife and dazzling.
Big Things need Big Ideas to bring them to life. Here’s what’s on the table for captains of industry, mavens of business, wizards of enterprise. These are the folks who are going Boundless - achieving more with less struggle. They are busting blocks, bridging gaps, and sailing past the headland to wild seas beyond. These are the Big Ideas they are using to keep them steady through turbulence.
Team development that dismantles barriers
Team Compass
Now more than ever businesses need a solid Team Compass to guide their focus and their effort. We need a solid and resonant purpose that moves beyond punching timesheets and word processing. We need to feel useful and part of something bigger and better and useful for the planet. Make work mean something.
A Team Compass has four points:
North: values - what we care about
East: purpose - who we serve
South: qualities - how we behave
West: results - what we do for the people we serve
Boundless teams use their compass to get them through the toughest of days, the darkest of challenges. They refer to it in their team meetings. They use it to formulate strategy. They print it on their coffee mugs.
A leadership compass for success
Blocks
Boundless teams and leaders are ferocious in their scrutiny of what gets in their way. They scrub the decks cleaning away clunky systems, duplication, and wastage of all sorts. They flatten hierarchies and streamline process. They are vigilant about the perils of the status quo leading them blindly in to the doldrums. They are ruthless with sacred cows that do nothing but lumber along and take up space.
They look for their own internal blocks as well. They scrutinise beliefs and assumptions that keep them lazy and complacent. They are mindful of mutiny and the lessons that come with it - of leadership gone astray, of decisions made without enough rigour.
They are nimble sailors, adjusting sails quickly to prevailing conditions.
Gaps
Boundless teams know where they are heading and see the gap ahead. They are rigorous in their self-assessment and are honest about the skills they lack and the capacities they need to hone. They eat humility pancakes for breakfast and knuckle down to do the work that matters. They ask questions. They seek help. They explore perspectives. They read extensively. They embrace feedback. They journal to capture lessons. They journal to interrogate thinking.
They are not alone. They know that more heads give more value. They distil wisdom from the experience of others and invite contradiction to help sharpen their thinking. They are committed to excuse free living. They practice open hearted presence. They look after themselves extremely well so there is more of themselves to give.
Big Ideas come to life with small actions, taken daily.
What action can you take daily to move you towards the future you want to claim? Do you have your Team Compass at the ready? Are you cleaning up blocks? Are you bridging gaps? Are you seeking support?
***
Related Articles:
How to have genuine charisma as a leader
How to kickstart a great culture
Mind your mojo: essential strategy for boundless leaders
**
About the author, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Canberra based leadership expert, Zoë Routh, on navigating leadership compass for success.
Zoë Routh is one of Australia’s leading experts on people stuff - the stuff that gets in our way of producing results, and the stuff that lights us up. She works with the growers, makers, builders to make people stuff fun and practical.
Zoë is the author of four books: Composure - How centered leaders make the biggest impact, Moments - Leadership when it matters most, Loyalty - Stop unwanted staff turnover, boost engagement, and build lifelong advocates, and People Stuff - Beyond Personalities: An advanced handbook for leadership. People Stuff was awarded Book of the Year 2020 by the Smart WFM Australian Business Book Awards.
Zoë is also the producer of The Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast.