How can you use the action-centered leadership model to balance task, team, and individual needs?

1 What is action-centered leadership?

The action-centered leadership model is a simple but effective way of thinking about your role as a leader. It suggests that you have three overlapping areas of responsibility: achieving the task, building and maintaining the team, and developing the individual. These three elements are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. You need to balance them according to the situation and the needs of your followers.

2 How to balance the task?

The task is the goal or objective that you and your team are working towards, such as a project, problem, decision, or change. To ensure successful completion of the task, it is necessary to define it clearly and communicate it to your team. Additionally, resources, roles, and deadlines should be planned and allocated. It's also important to monitor and control the progress and quality of the work, as well as evaluate and review the outcomes and feedback.

3 How to balance the team?

Leading and working with a team can be formal or informal, permanent or temporary, large or small. To ensure the team’s success, it is important to create a positive and collaborative culture and climate. Communication and participation should be encouraged and facilitated, conflicts should be resolved, and diversity and differences should be handled. Achievements and contributions should also be recognized and rewarded.

4 How to balance the individual?

To achieve a balanced individual, it is essential to understand yourself and your team members, including their motivations and preferences. You should also provide support, guidance, and feedback, as well as delegate, empower, and coach. Knowing yourself and your strengths and weaknesses is an important part of this process. By taking these steps, you can foster personal and professional growth for yourself and each of your team members.

5 What are the benefits of action-centered leadership?

The action-centered leadership model can help you to become a more effective and efficient leader, enhance your team's cohesion and performance, increase satisfaction and engagement, and develop your own and your team's skills and potential.

6 How to apply action-centered leadership?

To apply the action-centered leadership model, you must first assess the situation and context, then analyze the task, team, and individual needs. After that, it is important to adjust your actions and behaviors accordingly. Finally, you should review and reflect on your results and learning.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?