The Compass Leader: Guiding Your Team to Success
Christine (Sawyer) Perkins
Mission-Driven Sales and Marketing Executive/CSO/CMO- Behavioral Health| Strategist & Trainer| For-Profit & Non-Profit
Leadership styles can make the difference between an organization that merely survives and one that truly thrives. One emerging concept is that of a leader that acts like a compass, not a GPS. This perspective asserts that leaders should provide their vision, values, and overall direction (like a compass) instead of dictatorial, step-by-step instructions (like a GPS).
?Why a Compass?
A compass indicates general direction but does not specify a specific course. Similarly, a compass leader establishes the organizational vision and fundamental values that direct the team's conduct while avoiding micromanagement. This type of leadership promotes team members' autonomy, creativity, and invention. Leaders who act as a compass are fearless in training their staff to be leaders too.
?Empowering Creativity and Innovation
Innovation and creativity are essential for any organization to adapt to shifting conditions and maintain its competitiveness. Leaders may create a culture where team members are inspired to find fresh, more effective ways to accomplish their objectives by serving as a compass. This strategy enables staff members to use their distinctive abilities, views, and experiences to find their way toward the vision, frequently producing answers and ideas that a leader acting as a GPS could not have thought of. If a leader manages to operate as a GPS, they will miss the opportunity to bring more ideas and value to the company. They will limit themselves to only their knowledge and understanding.
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?Developing Skills
Developing problem-solving abilities within a team will be stifled by leaders who give detailed, step-by-step directions on accomplishing goals. In contrast, compass leaders encourage their teams to resolve issues and face obstacles independently. Employees gain agility and resilience through this, which are precious traits in today's fast-paced business environment.
?Building Trust?
When a leader acts as a compass for their team, it shows that they have faith in their talents, which raises employee engagement. Giving employees more freedom to make decisions can increase their commitment to the company, loyalty, and job happiness. Additionally, when leaders serve as a compass for their teams, they naturally notice the variety of abilities present on those teams and give people the freedom to play to their strengths.
?The Way Forward
Being hands-off or disengaged is different from what leadership as a compass entails. Instead, it's about allowing teams to explore, learn, and grow while offering the proper direction and support. It involves creating a distinct vision and identifying shared values as a constant road map. Businesses that embrace a compass leadership style will be the most successful in today's complex and dynamic climate. These leaders will not only guide their organizations in the proper direction but also motivate their staff to create novel solutions and forge their pathways in pursuit of common objectives. As a result, the compass leader turns into the magnet that draws success, encourages expansion, and drives the company toward success.