Transformational leadership component: values

Transformational leaders are change agents. They engage the hearts, minds and souls of people and transform them through visionary and inspirational messages. They steer the organization toward pursing the ‘right’ goals and encourage people to pursue those goals in lieu of their self-interests.

I've begun interviewing leaders to discern how they really accomplish change in their organizations. I'll be compiling their observations for a bookreport some of their thoughts as I go along.

One such interview was with an executive with a local utility. I was struck by her apparent humility and willingness to ask for (not demand) help. She readily admitted vunerability offering"I don't have all the answers" to her staff and colleagues. She believed that willingness was, in part, the key to her success.

She was also quite clear that a critical factor in effective leadership was being principal-driven in your approach. Identifying and communicating your values and what's really important serves as a lighthouse on the shore of a stormy sea. It acts as a rudder and truing mechanism in the decision-making process.

If you're intrigued about how you rate, visit the website and take the assessment, www.emeraldharvest.com/assessment.html.

Leadership that Transforms

Well, MIA again. Where does the time go?

This time, I've been at work on creating coaching programs and products. My most recent foray is into the area of transformational leadership.

On my home page is a link (http://www.emeraldharvest.com/assessment.html) to an assessment called "Are you a transformational leader?" The assessment 'tests' your utilization of various components of transformational leadership such as having and sharing a compelling vision, holding true to and communicating your values, motivating others, living and working with integrity and evoking trust in others. It's a fun assessment and will provide you with insights into your particular leadership practices.

I've also developed a coaching program designed to focus on these aspects as well as planning and execution - two other competencies important to leaders. This program is for emerging and contemporary leaders who want to transform their own approach to influencing those around them.

Stay tuned. There will be more developments on the leadership front. You can read more about it in back issues of the Performance Improvement Partner newsletters, http://emeraldharvest.com/newsletter_archives.html