Transcript LEADERSHIP: IS IT JUST ABOUT THE LEADERS?

LEADERSHIP: IS IT JUST ABOUT
THE LEADERS?
SUPREME COUNCIL
LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
MARCH 27, 2010
LEXINGTON, MA.
JUST WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED ‘LEADERSHIP’?
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Leadership is not just about leaders;
it’s also about followers
Successful leadership depends upon the
follower’s perception of the leader
Leadership is in the eye of the follower
LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS
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James Kouzes and Barry Posner [The Leadership
Challenge] surveyed 10,000 managers nationwide
from a wide variety of private and public
organizations to tell them what they looked for in
a leader.
There are several essential “tests” that a leader
must pass before we are willing to grant the title
“leader”.
Let’s take a look:
HONESTY:
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Leaders are considered honest if they do what they
say they are going to do [when they say they will
do].
Another essential is the leader’s display of trust in
others.
“Trust is a risk game; the leader has to ante up first”.
Think of the chaos that happens when a leader
within a Valley is less than totally honest about a
challenging situation!
COMPETENCE:
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We must believe that a person knows what he or she is
doing.
If we doubt the leader’s abilities, we’re unlikely to enlist
in the crusade!
“Value Added Competence”: The ability to motivate…sell
an idea…reward…recognize a team.
Think of degree direction and management with competent
individuals; think what happens in your Valley without them!
BEING FORWARD LOOKING:
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Direction and concern for the future…”vision”…
”dream”… “calling”…
Clarity of purpose and direction
Maintain the core values…change the processes by
which they are managed for the benefit of the
customers [members]…Jim Collins.
INSPIRATION
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Enthusiastic, energetic and positive about the
future!
Essential that leaders inspire our confidence in
the validity of the goal.
A good example is that the Scottish Rite is NOT a charity
as has been clarified by Commander Mc Naughton.
CREDIBILITY:
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More than anything else, people want leaders who are
credible.
This sense of security enables us to let go of our
reservations and release enormous personal energy
on behalf of the common vision
A good example is that we are a fraternity, bonded together
by fellowship and care for one another. It’s the core value
that has been revisited by Commander McNaughton that is
part of reshaping our future.
LEADERSHIP PRACTICES:
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THERE ARE FIVE FUNDAMENTAL PRACTICES
THAT ENABLE LEADERS TO
EARN FOLLOWERS’ CONFIDENCE and
GET EXTRAORDINARY THINGS DONE:
CHALLENGE THE PROCESS:
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A willingness to change the “status quo”.
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Explore ways to improve the organization
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Treat mistakes as a learning experience
A good example is a new way to target the market for
New members by doing innovative things…
INSPIRE A SHARED VISION:
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Envision the future with a positive outlook
Expressive..attract followers through skillful
communications
Show others how mutual interests can be met
through commitment to a common purpose
A good example might be a way to present degrees in
A “Lodge setting” after having had to vacate a former
facility that was equipped with a theatre.
ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT:
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Leaders infuse people with spirit developing relationships
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They stress collaborative goals
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They involve others in planning
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Ensure that people feel strong and capable
A good example might be a “Monthly Officers Meeting” where the
activities for the upcoming month are discussed… and the leader
[Presiding Officer] is able to guide the Officers through the process of
ensuring that they have planned, organized, developed and are now
controlling an agenda of events.
MODEL THE WAY:
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Leaders are clear about their business values and beliefs
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Behavior is consistent with values
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Leaders also break projects down into “bite size parts” so
that they are achievable…creating small wins!
A good example is how often Commander McNaughton refers
to Supreme Council’s transactions as being
“the best value for the corporation”.
ENCOURAGE THE HEART:
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Link recognition with accomplishments
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Let others know that their efforts are appreciated
Nurturing a team spirit that enables people to sustain
continued efforts
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A good example is the “Thank You Note”.
What a positive way to make someone feel good about
what they have done!
UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP:
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Leadership is a relationship, a unique and special
trust between the leader and followers.
The development of this trust requires our full
attention as leaders
Here are five pre-requisites to building and
maintaining this bond of trust:
KNOW YOUR FOLLOWERS:
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Find out what is important to them
A good example is “Why are you here?” Our mission is
to help you get extra-ordinary things done that are of
mutual benefit and value to your Valley and its
customers [members]
STAND UP FOR YOUR BELIEFS
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Remain open to others: Listen, understand,
empathize.
Keeping the core values of the Rite is critical;
knowing that we can change
how we get things done is important!
SPEAK WITH PASSION
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Communicate with excitement; paint word pictures
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Tell stories
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Enable others to feel what you experience
What about that “special conversation” with a new
member…and those necessary on going conversations
with our current members who we don’t see very often…
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
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Leaders are role models
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We look to them for how we should behave
If leaders ask followers to observe certain standards,
Then the leaders need to live by the same rules
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A good example might be the frequent “planning sessions”
that are held among officers and leaders…it’s always
inspirational when someone says “What if we do this a
different way?”
CONQUER YOURSELF
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The real struggle of leadership is internal
Internal ongoing questions…Am I doing the right thing?
Are we going in the right direction? What impact will this action
have on the future of the organization?
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This all begins with determining your value system
The best example is when a major shift/change is about to be
made…place of meeting…financial adjustment…required personnel
change…to know from the leaders that the body’s compass is
calibrated…and things will be positive…in a new direction. [Change is
very difficult for some of our older members!]
THE EYE OF THE FOLLOWER
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THESE CHARACTERISTICS, PRACTICES AND RELATIONSHIPS ARE
TOUGH MEASURES
MAY NOT SEEM RIGHT TO BE JUDGED SO HARSHLY…
BUT…FOLLOWERS PERCEIVE LEADERS IN THEIR OWN
TERMS…THOSE TERMS ARE NOT ALWAYS FAIR.
THE LEADER IS NOT A LEADER UNLESS THERE ARE FOLLOWERS;
THERE ARE NO TRUE FOLLOWERS UNLESS THE LEADER IS A
LEADER IN THE EYE OF THE FOLLOWER.
“The Leadership Challenge” by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
Take Away Summary:
The Leadership Challenge
Leadership Practices:
Leadership Characteristics:
Unique Relationships :
Challenge the Process
Honesty
Know your followers
Inspire a Shared Vision
Competence
Stand up for your beliefs
Enable others to act
Being Forward Looking
Speak with passion
Model the way
Inspiration
Lead by example
Encourage the heart
Credibility
Conquer yourself