10 Things that Prevent Organizations Getting From Good to Great

In her latest book, Dare to Lead, best selling author and researcher, Brene Brown, explains that leadership is not about titles, status and power over people. Leaders are people who hold themselves accountable for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and developing that potential. I highly recommend this book for any manager who is ready to choose courage over comfort, make a difference and lead.

I concur with Dr. Brown's assertion that when we dare to lead, we don't pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don't see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it and work to align authority and accountability. We don't avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into the vulnerability that’s necessary to do good work.

In the book, Brown cites extensive research which has uncovered 10 behaviors and cultural issues that get in the way of organizations across the globe:

1.   We avoid tough conversations, including giving honest, productive feedback.

2.     Rather than spending a reasonable amount of time proactively   acknowledging and addressing the fears and feelings that show up during   change and upheaval, we spend an unreasonable amount of time   managing problematic behaviors.

3.     Diminishing trust caused by a lack of connection and empathy.

4.     Not enough people are taking smart risks or creating and sharing bold   ideas to meet changing demands and the insatiable need for innovation.

5.     We get stuck and defined by setbacks, disappointments, and failures,   instead of spending resources on clean-up to ensure that customers,   stakeholders, or internal processes are made whole, we are spending too   much time and energy reassuring team members who are questioning   their contribution and value.

6.     Too much shame and blame, not enough accountability and learning.

7.     People are opting out of vital conversations about diversity and   inclusivity, because they fear looking wrong, saying something wrong, or   being wrong. Choosing our own comfort over hard conversations is the   epitome of privilege, and it corrodes trust and moves us away from   meaningful and lasting change.

8.     When something goes wrong, individuals and teams are rushing into     ineffective or unsustainable solutions rather than staying with problem   identification and solving. When we fix the wrong thing for the wrong   reason, the same problems continue to surface. It’s costly and   demoralizing.

9.     Organizational values are gauzy and assessed in terms of aspirations   rather than actual behaviors that can be taught, measured, and   evaluated.

10. Perfectionism and fear are keeping people from learning and growing.

Leaders whom I've shared the list with have told me that they recognize these behaviors and cultural issues both within their organizations and themselves. The reason these problems are so prevalent is underlying them are deeply human issues. And as Tom Peters remarked, "All organizations are essentially human."

The good news is there are tools available to help leaders address these challenges.

To your greater success and fulfillment,

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant

SMART DEVELOPMENT

Take the Next Step... 

Interested in learning how Smart Development can help your company address these issues? We begin with a collaborative discovery process identifying your unique needs and business issues. To request an interview with Peter Mclees please contact: 

Email: petercmclees@gmail.com  or  Mobile:323-854-1713

Smart Development has an exceptional track record helping service providers, ports, sales teams, restaurants, stores, distribution centers, food production facilities, nonprofits, government agencies and other organizations create a strong culture, leadership bench strength, coaching skills and the teamwork necessary for growth. 

Having worked with several companies throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company achieve sustained growth and prosperity.