The Leader’s Compass
A personal leadership philosophy
is your key to success.
Bob Larkin
PMI
FEBRUARY 25, 2016
The Leader’s Compass
A personal leadership philosophy
is your key to success.
How do you get your people to do their very best?
Who is the most important
Leader in your organization?
Hi, I’m your new leader.
What do you want to know about me?
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Research by Kouzes & Posner
People want to know
Who are you?
What do you stand for and believe in?
Where do you want to take us?
Why you?
What qualifies you for this job
What makes you think you can do this?
What changes are you planning to make?
Why Develop a
Leadership Philosophy?
Constituents will align behind
leaders who clearly communicate
what they deeply feel and believe.
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Become a Philosopher?
Establishing your Leadership Philosophy does not mean that you are expected to become a philosopher, but it does mean determining…
Who you are
What you value
What your priorities are
What you will stand for
What you will not stand for
and making sure that everyone knows and understands this.
The Leadership Philosophy
is reflected in a person’s followers
If you want your followers to act in a certain way, you had better be able to communicate it to them by setting the example and living your life that way.
How Would You Describe
Your Best and Worst Leader?
Best Leader Characteristics Integrity
Fair
Optimistic
Self-confident
Effective Listener
Sets Clear Goals
Good Communicator
A Teacher
Competent
Compassionate
Genuine
Sense of Humor
Encouraged Feedback
Set Good Example
Respectful
High Standards
Praised in Public
Reprimanded in Private
Supported His People
Delivered on Promises
Incisive
Loyal
Forthright
Had a Vision
Morally Strong
Had Fun13
Worst Leader Characteristics
Self-centered
Used Fear Motivation
Berated People in Public
Inconsistent Behavior
Lacked Personal Integrity
Poor Communicator
Sought Confrontation
Workaholic
Lied
Set Poor Example
Backstabber
Indecisive
Phony
Lacked Curiosity
Insecure
Micro-manager
Never Listened
Caustic
Takes Credit of Others’ Work
Doesn’t Trust People
Moody & Capricious 14
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Modeling Personal Values
What are your core values?
How do you model them?
What behaviors demonstrate these values?
A value in action is virtue
“Leaders are defined by their values and their character.”
Bill George
Former Chairman and CEO
Medtronic
Authentic Leadership
What will my people expect of me?
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Expectations of Leaders
Honest, just and fair treatment
Consideration as mature, professional workers
Climate of trust and confidence
Acceptance of errors as opportunities for learning
Personal interest in them as individuals
Loyalty
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Expectations of Leaders
Shielding from harassment from higher levels
Anticipating and meeting “their” needs
Being told the purpose of tasks
Clear, positive and consistent decisions and guidance
Demands consistent with their capabilities – not toosmall or too great
Public recognition for good work
What Will You Expect of
Your Followers?
“People respond according to your expectation
of them.”-Unknown
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Benefits
Provides insight on the leader—for the leader and the followers
Identifies critical values and beliefs
Eliminates second guessing by subordinates
Increased focus for self and subordinates
Helps establish a positive organizational climate
Foundation for trust and confidence
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Things You Should Include
Personal Values – what you believe in; such as honesty, commitment, respect for others.
Operating Principles - description of how you will carry out your responsibilities.
Expectations – what you expect of others and what they can expect of you.
Non-negotiables - what you will demand and what you will not tolerate.
Priorities - what’s important, and in what order.
Personal Idiosyncrasies - your peculiar likes or “pet peeves”
Commitment – your willingness for feedback
Developing your “Leadership Philosophy”
Put it all together and write a first draft as if
you were explaining it to your 10-year old.
Set it aside and come back to it.
Add/delete and modify and let it sit for a
while. Later, finalize.
More than just a document
Greater Self-Knowledge
Greater Self-Confidence
Greater Personal Energy
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What to do with Your Leadership Philosophy?
Publish it – share it with your people.
Discuss it – engage your people in a dialogue
about it.
Live it! – With Passion!
Get Feedback – How are you doing?
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When You Write and Follow Your
Leadership Philosophy
You will be a more effective leader and have
less stress.
You will energize your people and set them
free.
Your people will admire you for being
authentic.
You will be on course for Leadership Success.
The L
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850-776-7498
academyleadership.com/larkin
Best and Worst Leader?