Leadership Practices and Measures of Success Dear Optimist: There are Hidden Talents within each of us just waiting to be discovered, unearthed, and excavated! And, just like those precious stones that the earth yields up, which require further development, so to speak – before their true beauty becomes known, we too require some special tools if we are to achieve our full potential as leaders. This resource is designed to help you alone the way.

President Emerita of Spelman College LEADERSHIP The best leaders follow their hearts as well as their heads, and they never ever leave their principles behind. - Johnnetta B. Cole, President Emerita of Spelman College

Leadership Overview Leadership Practices Leadership Measures of Success Leadership Assessment Tool Leadership Development Priority Worksheet Leadership Development Action Plan Leadership Principles/Values When it comes to Leadership – All the pieces are connected! This leadership development resource is about self-discovery and self-development, if you so choose. This presentation is a tool that will help you to identify your leadership strengths and opportunities for improvement. It is also a stepping-stone along the path of becoming energized, equipped and enabled to achieve your goals and fulfill your dreams. What will be provided herein includes ….. (review slide)

What is Leadership? “… Leadership is the ability to bring people together to accomplish a common purpose in the midst of conditions of great change.” – The Forum Corporation There are a lot of leadership development icons and thousands of books and resources regarding the same. One of those proven leaders is The Forum Corporation and it is from their assessment of proven Leadership Practices that a portion of this learning resources is founded.

Leadership Practices Interpreting conditions within and external to your organization that affect you and your work group. Shaping the vision and strategy to provide meaning for the work of the group. Mobilizing individuals with different ideas, skills, and values to carry out the work of the group. Inspiring people to achieve results. The Forum Corporation’s extensive research determined that leadership involves four critical action areas and are thereby proven leadership practices. Interpreting “the what … it is like right now” Shaping “the what … do we want it to be like” Mobilizing “the team to do what it needs to do – aligned on purpose” Inspiring “ the team to support the vision because they agree with it”

Leadership Practices ® The four Leadership Practices are well depicted creatively in this graphic/logo. This graphic is a registered Service Mark of The Forum Corporation from it’s Leadership Program. ®

Measures of Success A Leader: Shapes the vision in a way that inspires others Aligns personal vision and goals with the bigger picture Models the behaviors expected of others Maintains a positive attitude Upholds business/organizational values Defines expectations for self and others Seeks and acts upon opportunities to improve performance Challenges the status quo In addition to these four well know Leadership “Best” Practices there are “behavior anchors” that further define strength in leadership. We will refer to them as Measures of Success. A Leader:…… (continue through the next slide)

Measures of Success (cont’d) A Leader: Directs performance improvement Monitors continuous improvement strategies · Applies Strategic Thinking Ensures that scope and impacts are maximized when new ideas are introduced Utilizes problem solving strategies Promotes use of relevant resources and experienced individuals 

Quote from the late Peter Drucker “ The task of leadership is to create an alignment of strengths, making our weaknesses irrelevant”. Theme from his book “The Next Society”…… Drucker “leadership of change is entirely about the discovery and elevation of strengths.” According to studies from the field of Organization Development and Change we are in a revolution of positive change, sustainability and strengths. Following is a self–assessment that will help you identified your current level of strength as a leader and what the level of importance it holds n the leadership position that you have or aspire to (from your perspective). Building positive enterprises for the world through strength-based change.

Leadership Assessment Tool Skill/Behavior Your Competency/ Skill Level (0-3) 0 = low – 3 = high Position Level of Importance (1-3) 1 = low – 3 = high Shapes the vision in a way that inspires others Models the behaviors expected of others Upholds business /organizational values Seeks and acts upon opportunities to optimize performance Directs performance improvement Applies Strategic Thinking Utilizes problem solving strategies Other: This is a personal assessment tool that will confirm some things you already know, help you clarify those things that are uncertainties, and create some brand new AH-HAs about your style, your character, and what you’re bringing to the table. It is without a doubt, that this is an investment in you that is destined to be time well spent

Leadership Development Priority Worksheet After completing the self-assessment on the Leadership Development Assessment Tool, list the top three skill/behavior indicators that requires developmental action on the following Priority Worksheet. List each from highest to lowest priority.   Priority Worksheet Priority # 1 / _______________________________________________________________ Priority # 2 / _______________________________________________________________ Priority # 3 / _______________________________________________________________

Leadership Development Action Plan Specific Skills/Behaviors Requiring Development Development Action(s) You Will Take (Identify how and when) Measurement Goals: Desired Results: Action Plan: Use this section in conjunction with the Priority Worksheet to create an action plan for your developmental needs. Using the skills/behavior indicators listed above, complete an action plan for the next 60 – 90 days.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” - John C. Maxwell We hope that this resource empowers you to enrich your life forever.