Leadership and Teamwork

"I use a combination of Eastern and Western techniques to free people from stress and let their own inner genius lead the way. My approach differs slightly from what I call externalists. I have found that "the quiet mind has access to unlimited brilliance" and resides in a state of perpetual joy, curiosity and fun. And an open heart in addition to this quietude is truly wondrous. An executive so polarized would take the right risks, and earn the love and respect of subordinates effortlessly, by being lovable, brilliant and worth following.

"Leadership inspires people to reach beyond their imaginary limits".

The qualities of leadership can be taught whereas teamwork can only be experienced. Teamwork is an experience of playing a game together. Teamwork is the inevitable result of good leadership.

Teamwork is the result of playing a game to win. Reaching a goal together, overcoming obstacles, winning (and losing) together, is what creates teamwork. The wise leader knows what the game is. This is the vision, in measurable steps. A wise leader knows what result will lead to the greatest advance in the game. And in Corporate America the game is creating a positive bottom line impact by cutting costs and increasing profits.

Wise leaders always know their agenda and they use questions to bring forth from the players the solution. Rather than telling them what to do, the wise leader asks the right questions until the player produces the answer which moves the team forward.Then the player is acknowledged by the leader. And the players always believe they have done it themselves.

A powerful simple formula.

A great formula for leadership and teamwork is "The Innovation Festival".

The leader has a vision of a goal (which always reduces down to some form of cutting costs and increasing profits,) within the mission and vision of the company, with a resultant reward for the team.

The leader hosts this fun innovation festival where every crazy idea is entertained. There is usually a zany theme, even a partylike atmosphere. On day one all ideas are accepted, strange questions are asked to produce out of the box thinking, and a good time is had by all. This fosters teamwork, fun, and creativity. The group is looking for the best ideas to implement in the current game.

In phase two the ideas are married to other ideas producing hybrids that may prove very interesting.

In phase three the team filters the best ideas to bring forth the easiest idea to implement that creates the biggest result. Then the game begins.

During the game score must be kept. There are milestones that must be reached, and regular pep talks occur with questions asked by the leader to bring out the hidden resources of the players.

Then the team either wins or loses and celebrates success or learning and the next game begins.

Qualities of wise leaders

A wise leader loves the game they are playing. And it is obvious to all the team members.This leader is doing it themselves, often in the trenches. But the leader holds the vision. The leader studies the game more than any of the players.

The leader knows that very small shifts produce huge results. This is the essence of the philosophy called "Splitting The Atom". This was recently brought to light in the book called "The Tipping Point". Samll things add up to huge waves of loyalty, love, performance and resultant profitability.

They ask rather than tell. Where a manager might need to tell someone what to do a leader asks them what to do. But the leader has become a msaster of the questioning process such that he can lead the player to powerful solutions and inner resources that the player can then tap at any time. This is the pinnacle of developing your team, one person at a time, and in group sessions.

The wise leader continues to earn the respect and admiration of the players. The wise leader never forgets that he or she serves the people as a leader. The wise leader avoids being a beaurocrat or manager. The wise leader lets the team take all the credit.

The wise leader never complains.The wise leader seems to be unflappable, always positive, never troubled by anything. This leader has a coach or mentor outside of the organization or team.This enables the leader to get support elsewhere and thus maintain a seemingly unflappable demeanor to the group.This is invaluable to fostering trust from the players.

The wise leader keeps their personal life out of the picture entirely, yet is a warm and authentic supporter of the players.A wise leader catches people in the act of doing things well and acknowledges them on the spot.

Leadership is personal excellence. It is the path of self mastery.