by Ian Buchanan

Created on: February 16, 2010

Effective leadership is about results, not definitions, but it’s more than just meeting targets. There’s a whole human dimension to effectiveness that goes well beyond the numbers, and history shows that even a tyrant can achieve an objective, sacrificing subordinates for the prize. The key is to understand the superior results gained through effectiveness. The old saying that synergy can make two and two equal five doesn’t adequately describe how effective leaders score much higher than that.

Computer modelling can make all the logical projections to attain an objective, and even the most mundane leader can work out the component parts, but at best this schematic achieves uninspiring results, and the chemistry from the exercise fizzles out at the end of the project. The real downsize is that this type of leadership lacks vision, and that is a significant attribute of effective leadership. Great leaders don’t focus on what needs to be done; rather they imagine what can ultimately be.

It’s not unusual for companies to single out an objective and post graphic thermometers around the plant to monitor progress. Most often the top marking on that poster is the defined objective, and most often the final result is within a smidgen of the original target. Effective leaders might use the same image, but the original target will still leave lots of room to surpass it. Really effective leaders will use a very different image, one that catches the imagination: perhaps the sky is the limit.

In sports the difference between winning and losing comes down to effective leadership. Great teams have play books, but the difference between winning and losing can be how inspired leaders create special plays the opposition hasn’t prepared for. Effective leadership is when a player seizes a game by the scruff of the neck and inspires the team to victory. In top class soccer it’s amazing how the best managers make last minute substitutions and the oncoming player scores the winning goal.

So, how do you know if you are an effective leader? Do players want to play on your team? Do teams come looking for you to lead more significant projects or companies? Do your employees or players invite you to their parties or picnics? Are you seen as a facilitator or a manager? Do your people trust you? Do they willingly come to you for advice or direction? Do you stand behind them when the going is tough? Or do you look for a scapegoat when something goes wrong?

Effective leaders don’t always reap the rewards, but they always share the pain. Really effective leaders face the sword, but they take great pride and pleasure when their team is praised for going above and beyond, and they stand back when the applause begins.

You can tell if you are an effective leader when people line up to work for you, and your employees sing your praises. You are a really effective leader when none of this goes to your head and your motto is “Achieving outstanding results through inspiring people”.

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