"Leadership is accomplishing something through other people that wouldn't have happened if you weren't there. . . Leadership is being able to mobilize ideas and values that energize other people. . . . Leaders develop a storyline that engages other people." ~ Noel Tichy
A great example of this being put into practice and engaging not only the people working on the project but millions of people was how Ratan Tata explained why he came up with the idea of producing a cheap and compact car.
He wrote, "What really motivated me, and sparked a desire to produce such a vehicle, was constantly seeing Indian families on scooters, maybe the child sandwiched between the mother and father, riding to wherever they were going, often on slippery roads,"Â
It was a feat that was unheard of- to develop a car priced at INR 100,000 (~ US$ 2000) at that time. The idea ignited and energized the teams involved in the project to deliver the product, being innovative but also being frugal. It's hard to imagine the Nano car without Ratan Tata's leadership.
Leaders who start with the 'Why?' give people clarity and transparency about their values, beliefs, and purpose. Teams find alignment with the higher cause or purpose, values, and beliefs and are motivated to achieve something they never thought possible. They shift the order of their storyline to 'Why,' 'How', and 'What' using the Golden Circle concept (Simon Sinek: Start With Why), inspiring action that produces extraordinary results, mobilizing the collective intellect, innovation, and energy of the teams.
Great leaders are inspiring because of their ability to communicate powerful ideas and lead with purpose to unleash the team's potential.
Leadership Coaching Questions
As a leader, how can I effectively identify and articulate the 'Why' behind my initiatives to ensure alignment that the team finds alignment?
How can I foster a culture of innovation within my team by encouraging them to think creatively when working towards ambitious objectives?
Considering the Golden Circle concept (Why, How, What), how can I consistently reinforce the importance of the 'Why' to keep my team motivated and focused on a higher cause, leading to extraordinary results?
Leaders Poll
What would you like to focus on in your leadership communication for inspiring and mobilizing your team?
Clear articulation of the 'Why?.'
Compelling storytelling techniques
Fostering a culture of innovation
Others, please comment
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Suggested Reading
Noel Tichy Quotes, azquotes.com, AZ Quotes 2024. https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1457975, accessed January 31, 2024.