by Michael Holland
In a validation study for the Everything DiSC 363 for Leaders, a tool we utilize to help leaders understand their impact on the organization, three leadership practices were consistently requested most often of leaders. The three most requested practices in order are:
- Stretching the Boundaries – Pioneering leaders encourage the group to think creatively about its options and take chances on new opportunities, pushing beyond comfort zones and envisioning a new way of doing things.
- Rallying People to Achieve Goals – Energizing leaders motivate people to see, feel, sense, grasp, and believe in a transcendent purpose. Employees appreciate a strong leader’s ability to bring the group together around a vision for the future.
- Improving Methods – Resolute leaders seek success for their teams and the company in creating urgency around greater efficiency and seeking practical, common-sense approaches to innovate and constantly improve as a cultural norm.
Why are these three the most requested out of the possible 24 practices? Not sure. But possibly the more important question is why would most leaders not rate these as the practices as those they believe their employees, peers and bosses desire of them?
Our natural approach to leading emanates from our preferred communications style. We all gain leadership wisdom – well most everyone – as we lead daily, develop skills through training, and situationally review/assess the impacts of our decisions through the filter of our mentors and bosses. The leadership practices that come naturally are those which line up with your natural communications style. The other leadership practices need to be absorbed, learned and remembered. And this is why leadership is a job and not an entitlement.
Learn more about the 24 Leadership Practices. See page 4 of our sample 363 for Leaders Report.
