Discussion: Leadership Vow – Understanding Its Significance in Corporate Transformation
In the latest episode of "Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement," co-hosts Professor Mohamed Saleh and John Dyer delve into the characteristics of a committed leader for team-based continuous improvement success.
A committed leader is not just a figurehead who attends occasional training sessions or events. Instead, they are deeply engaged individuals who actively participate and adapt their behaviour to support ongoing improvement efforts. Key characteristics include humility, respect for every individual, a willingness to change oneself, alignment of actions with guiding principles, and enabling rather than controlling teams. Such leaders "have skin in the game" and are continuously involved and accountable[1].
Contrary to traditional leadership hiring and promotion practices, a committed leader does not value being extremely busy while detached, exerting complete control over all resources, making all decisions unilaterally, and maintaining a top-down authoritative style. These traits run counter to effective team-based improvement leadership, which requires collaboration, coaching, and empowerment rather than command-and-control behaviours[1].
Guiding principles for team-based continuous improvement are essential to drive the desired behaviours in a leader. Examples include respecting every individual and leading with humility. Supporting characteristics of effective continuous improvement leaders include creating an environment that encourages participation, providing training, removing barriers, celebrating successes and learning from failures, coaching employees on improvement techniques, and linking improvement work to strategic priorities[2].
Motivational leadership traits like empathy, vision, effective communication, adaptability, and consistency further enhance a leader's ability to engage teams in continuous improvement[3]. To foster sustained improvement success, organizations should recognize and celebrate leadership growth publicly, integrate leadership development with performance management and succession planning, and clarify career pathways tied to continuous learning and leadership competencies[4].
The experts on the show emphasize that a committed leader has a personal stake in the success of the continuous improvement process. They are willing to change themselves, their behaviour, and their style to ensure success. Reflection on whether one's behaviours align with the guiding principles is crucial for a committed leader.
The episode initiates a series on the topic of leadership, shining a light on the detrimental effects of age-old criteria used for hiring and promoting leaders, such as being extremely busy and exerting complete control over resources, on team-based organizational success. The show warns against hiring and promotion practices that hinder the development of leaders who embrace team-based continuous improvement.
Tune in to the next episode of "Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement" to learn more about the role of committed leadership in driving team-based continuous improvement success.
- A committed leader in the context of team-based continuous improvement is one who actively participates, adapts their behavior, and aligns actions with guiding principles, as opposed to merely attending occasional events or training sessions.
- Effective leadership in driving team-based continuous improvement success involves fostering an environment that encourages participation, coaching employees on improvement techniques, and linking improvement work to strategic priorities, rather than exerting complete control over resources and adopting a top-down authoritative style.
