The ART of Leadership by Nigel Adams
The ART of Leadership
Leadership is commonly described as the ability to influence others, generally in an effort to produce a specific result for a larger cause. Applied leadership is quickly recognized in sports and visible team efforts that provide a platform for individuals who stand some degree apart from the whole in a manner of creating positive results. Styles of leadership vary from the demonstrative, vigorous, bold approach of a Vince Lombardi to the cerebral, calm, controlled style of a Tom Landry. While dramatically different in style, both possess strong similarities in results and commitment from their teams.
We believe that leadership or more accurately, the process and state of leadership, the ability to act and perform in a leadership mode is best served when an individual possesses and continually develops Awareness; understands, embraces and changes their Reality, and purses a state of self Transcendence.
Awareness: “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are” – Anais Nin
Awareness comes in many forms, with the most critical being awareness of self. The ability to examine and understand the likes, dislikes, perspectives, filters and biases support the balance needed to effectively interact with others. Awareness of others, situational awareness and awareness of the perceptions others have of us are also critical to understanding context and environmental factors that will impact effective leadership.
Our Emotional Intelligence or EQ (Goleman) allows us to connect with others and is determined by four factors:
Self Awareness
Self Management
Social Awareness
Relationship Management
Leaders have little or no chance of effectively leading others without first being able to manage themselves.
Researchers have found that even more than IQ, your emotional awareness and abilities to handle feelings will determine your success and happiness in all walks of life, including family relationships. – John Gottman, Ph.D.
Reality: There is a fine line between dreams and reality, it’s up to you to draw it. ~B. Quilliam
Reality-Testing defined in the Tilt 360 LP as the ability to objectively validate one’s feelings and thinking with external reality. How we view the world around us – our impact and effectiveness – is key in continuing to develop our leadership capacity. Leaders who believe they have it all figured out and have the answer for all questions, are generally not rooted in reality or may be working in a very narrowly focused scope.
The ability to balance confidence with reality is vital for leaders. Charging ahead in every situation with blind confidence or avoiding conflict because of perceived risk are out of balance with reality and will fall short in their ability to effectively influence or inspire.
Beyond EQ, the Tilt 360 Leadership Predictor is a holistic taxonomy of strengths needed to exemplify this kind of leadership. It is measuring self-awareness as perceived through self-regulation and ultimately self-leadership in four realms called Meta-Factors. Emotional Strengths in Humanity, Cognitive Strengths in Wisdom, Instinctual Strengths in Courage, and Philosophical Strengths in Resilience. The whole picture of leadership in this assessment results in a perceived measure of the ability to transcend one’s self interest and that of social conformity to lead objectively from principles.
Transcendence: Life is all about transcending our limitations – seeking out boundaries of our potential, and then stepping beyond them. – Wayne Visser
Transcendence – is frequently considered the pursuit of a spiritual state that takes us beyond our natural limitations. Ultra athletes who run 100 mile marathons, climbers who ascend extreme heights without supplemental oxygen are examples. When Roger Bannister ran the first sub four minute mile in 1954, experts and physicians predicted that the human body could not withstand the forces of stress and speed to achieve the feat. Within six weeks a second was shaved off of his then unthinkable world record. Athletes who are in “The Zone” are operating at a level of seamless integration of mind, body and spirit to achieve remarkable results.
Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself. William Faulkner
These feats have parallels in organizations and businesses teams. They are accomplished only through consistent personal development, exceptional commitment and continued learning that go far beyond normal standards. Performers who routinely deliver at levels far above the bell curve understand that the ultimate competitor isn’t found across the table or aisle, but in the mirror. We must look inside to unleash the catalyst for transcendent achievement. Leaders who are able to develop Awareness, embrace Reality and pursue Transcendence will position themselves for a personal journey that will make a meaningful difference in the teams and organizations to which they belong.
So how is your ART?