How to Lead at Scale
Introduction
This article delves into the intricacies of leading at scale and provides practical insights for aspiring leaders who are eager to unlock their full potential.
Good leaders become great leaders by being in the right place at the right time and having the courage to step up and be accountable while seeking advice and support.?
What do I mean by “right place at the right time”? There needs to be a critical inflection point or catalyst event that creates the need for great leadership. Most often, times of rapid and significant change provide the greatest opportunity for good leaders to become great.
In my career, the most notable example of this was during the momentous and historic separation of the tenth largest company in the world, HP, into two Fortune 50 companies. As a senior leader at the HP before, during, and after the separation, I reflect on this time of my career as one of the single most significant transformative periods for me as a leader. Still, to this day, years later, former colleagues of mine reach out to me for advice on how they can lead their teams through change in the way that I did.
When people reach out to me like this, I’m always deeply humbled. It’s moments like these that make me truly grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the great leaders I’ve worked with that have helped shaped me into the leader I am today.
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Overview – Leading At Scale?
It is far easier to lead when all is going well, but much more difficult to do so in challenging times when the odds are stacked against you. Overcoming adversity, of any kind, shows and develops the character of the leader. It requires them to make more ‘good’ decisions, (and less ‘bad’ ones), and demands they place?faith and trust in their team. When people trust you, they will follow you. When you have willing followers, you have become a great leader!
Leading at scale is exponentially more difficult than being a great leader of a small team. Over my career, I’ve identified 12 rules you can follow to go from a good leader to a great leader.
?1.????Have a Strong Personal Brand
2.????Embrace the Big Picture
3.????Craft and Communicate a Shared Vision
4.????Influence Others
5.????Anticipate Stakeholder Needs
6.????Do What You Say You’ll Do
7.????Manage Risk, Don’t Fear It
8.????Be a Real Person and Empathize
9.????Adopt Adaptability as Your Biggest Asset
10.?Communicate Consistently and Transparently
11.?Multiply, Don’t Diminish
12.?Be Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
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As you continue to read, I’ll tell you more about each of these. If you’re a good leader on the path to becoming a great one, you’ll realize these 12 rules lead to more questions than answers. That’s good! Reach out to your mentors and people you admire and ask them for their perspective on the rules. If you feel uncomfortable reaching out to others, reach out to me. I’m always happy to talk.
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1. Have a Strong Personal Brand
When your employees, peers, and bosses are asked to describe you to others what will they say?
Will their words be positive? Will they call you inspiring… reliable… committed… relatable… creative… fair… etc.? Or will they call you passive-aggressive… un-reliable… unrelatable… out of touch…. clueless… intimidating… biased… rude… etc.?
Your personal brand and your value are determined by how you are perceived by others, not yourself. You can make conscious choices about what you want your personal brand to be, but only consistent application of those characteristics and demonstration of those values will build your personal brand.
Think about the following questions:
By answering these questions and actively shaping your personal brand, you will not only enhance your leadership impact but also create a lasting legacy. Embrace the power of your personal brand, and let it propel you towards becoming an exceptional leader.
In conclusion, your personal brand is the foundation of your leadership presence. It is not simply about how you see yourself, but how others perceive you. By aligning your personal brand with your values, strengths, and aspirations, you can shape a powerful and authentic image that resonates with others.
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?2. Embrace the Big Picture
Embracing the big picture is a fundamental aspect of leading at scale. As you progress in your leadership journey, you will find yourself in situations where explicit instructions and guidance are scarce. Instead, you will need a comprehensive understanding of the macro-level dynamics that shape your organization's success.
Internally, you must grasp the overall business objectives and goals, recognizing the political landscape, budget constraints, resource limitations, and cross-organizational dependencies. By understanding these internal factors, you can effectively align your strategies and decisions with the broader organizational objectives.
Externally, you must be attuned to the ever-changing market dynamics, competitive landscape, and external factors such as environmental and geopolitical influences. Being aware of these external forces empowers you to anticipate shifts, identify emerging trends, and seize opportunities.
Navigating these complex waters requires a proactive and adaptive mindset. There will be times when multiple elements converge, creating disruptions or challenges. In such instances, you must remain nimble, ready to respond with agility and make informed decisions that align with the bigger picture.
While it is essential to pay attention to the details, it is equally important to periodically step back and reflect on how the work you and your team are doing fits into the broader context. Ask yourself: Does this contribute to the long-term goals and vision of the organization? How does it align with the internal and external dynamics? By keeping these questions in mind, you ensure that your efforts and initiatives are not isolated but contribute meaningfully to the larger objectives.
Remember, leading at scale requires the ability to balance both the immediate demands and the long-term vision. By embracing the big picture and integrating it into your decision-making, you will position yourself as a strategic leader capable of navigating the complexities of a dynamic business landscape.
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3. Craft and Communicate a Shared Vision
As a senior leader, one of your critical responsibilities is to use your understanding of the big picture to craft a shared vision for the future. This shared vision serves as a guiding beacon that aligns with the mission and goals of your organization. It becomes the foundation upon which you deploy resources, motivate and inspire your employees, and commit to delivering measurable results.?
To ensure the effectiveness of your shared vision, consider the following elements:?
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Remember, creating a shared vision is not a one-time event. It requires ongoing communication, reinforcement, and adaptation as the business landscape evolves. Regularly revisit and refine the shared vision to ensure its relevance and alignment with changing circumstances.
?By crafting a compelling and inspiring shared vision, you will mobilize your organization, energize your teams, and create a collective commitment towards a future full of possibilities. ?
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4. Influence Others
Successfully influencing others can be an immensely challenging task, especially when operating at scale. To effectively influence people, it is crucial to start by understanding their perspective. What do they value? Is it time, money, resources, quality, or a combination of factors? Without a deep understanding of their priorities and motivations, it becomes difficult to sway them and gain their support.?
Another key element in influencing is the ability to connect with your audience. Your message must be RAD:?
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Keep in mind that your audience may not possess the same level of familiarity with the subject matter as you do. They might lack technical knowledge or fail to see the relevance of the topic to their own lives. For instance, if you're discussing a "contusion," it may be more relatable to refer to it as a "bruise" to ensure common understanding.
When communicating, aim to capture your audience's attention quickly. Provide them with key takeaways that address their needs and concerns. Clearly articulate the decision points, the choices they need to make, and the potential consequences. Utilizing storytelling techniques can be particularly effective in engaging and influencing others.
Craft your story by starting with the "Villain"—the current situation or problem you aim to solve. Describe the dire consequences of inaction, emphasizing the potential impact if the problem persists. Present various options for defeating the "Villain," including the pros and cons of each approach. Articulate the benefits of overcoming the challenge, positioning your audience as the "Heroes" of the story. Establish yourself as their trusted "Guide," explaining why they should trust you to lead them towards the desired results.?
Remember, when influencing others, it is essential to be data-driven, presenting evidence and facts to support your arguments. Keep your message simple, straightforward, and accompanied by clear "asks" or specific actions you want your audience to take.
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5. Anticipate Stakeholder Needs
This characteristic of leadership cannot be underestimated, and its significance amplifies when leading at scale. The true measure of your relationship with clients and stakeholders lies in your ability to anticipate their needs and establish yourself as a trusted advisor. Are you the first person they turn to when a challenge or issue arises? Do people come to you knowing you can solve their problem??
While it is easy to acknowledge the importance of building successful relationships with clients and stakeholders, it is undoubtedly more challenging to put it into practice. To cultivate a thriving relationship, consider the following three essential elements:?
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While much of this relationship-building process rests on personal interactions, it is also important to establish strong relationships at all levels within the organization. This concept is known as Business Relationship Management (BRM). Recognize that every business has customers, and the most successful ones are those that effectively serve their customers and anticipate their needs. Think of Steve Jobs and Apple, who revolutionized the smartphone industry. Think of Henry Ford and the company that took his name, who recognized the need for automobiles when people were content with faster horses. Think of Jeff Bezos and Amazon, who has reinvented one industry after another by leveraging scale.
Consider BRM as a strategic approach to gather information and intelligence from clients and stakeholders. Leverage this knowledge to anticipate their needs and consistently deliver value. The execution of BRM relies on key elements and should be an integral part of your chosen strategy and operating model.
With time, you and your team will establish yourselves as trusted advisors, enabling you to deliver value to clients and stakeholders in unexpected areas, exceeding their initial expectations.?
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6. Do What You Say You’ll Do
Execution is where leaders truly prove their mettle, especially when operating at scale. Once you have established a shared vision and gained buy-in from your team, successful execution becomes paramount. Failing to execute as a senior leader can have detrimental effects on the organization. Employees, stakeholders, partners, and executives will feel let down, and the repercussions for the business can be far-reaching and potentially devastating. It is crucial to get execution right.
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But how can you ensure effective execution? Here are seven key strategies to help you nail it:
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By adopting these strategies, you enhance your ability to execute with excellence and deliver results that align with the shared vision. Remember, successful execution builds trust, credibility, and paves the way for future leadership opportunities.
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7. Manage Risk, Don’t Fear It
As you ascend to more senior leadership positions, effective risk management becomes increasingly crucial and cannot be overlooked. Striking the right balance between being too risk-averse and overly gung-ho is essential for driving transformational initiatives.
To successfully manage risk, it is vital to remove emotions from the equation. Many business leaders make decisions based on feelings like fear or excitement, which can lead to flawed judgment. Instead, take a page from insurance companies that base their decisions and underwriting on data, not personal sentiments. As a senior leader, consider data as your ally, using it to inform decisions, manage risks, and set realistic expectations.
While there are various ways to assess risk using data, a simple yet effective approach is to consider two key questions:
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For instance, if your business operates in an earthquake-prone zone, purchasing earthquake insurance would be a prudent risk management decision. By multiplying the potential negative consequences (such as property damage) by the relatively high probability of occurrence, you can quantify and mitigate the risk. This approach stands in stark contrast to making emotional decisions based on mere hope and crossed fingers. As a business leader, relying on hope is an inadequate risk management strategy.
Managing risk based on data also allows you to overcome innate risk aversion within yourself and your organization. Senior leaders cannot afford to shy away from all risks, as that stifles growth and innovation. However, recklessly betting the house on every opportunity is equally unwise. Great senior leaders master the art of balancing risk and reward to create value with a high probability of success.?
By leveraging data-driven risk management strategies, you position yourself as a confident and calculated leader who can navigate uncertainty and seize transformative opportunities. Embrace risk management as a core competency, and foster a culture that encourages thoughtful risk-taking and informed decision-making throughout your organization.
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8. Be a Real Person and Empathize
While risk management relies on data-driven decision-making, effective people leadership necessitates empathy and emotional intelligence. In the realm of human resources, it's crucial to recognize that individuals in your organization are not just numbers or entities on a chart; they are unique and valuable contributors who should never be overlooked.
Your people are undeniably your organization’s most important resource. Even if you rely on key assets like property, plant, and equipment, or intangibles like branding, goodwill, or patents, it is your people who command those assets and deliver value. Numerous studies have consistently shown that highly engaged individuals are not only happier but also more productive, ultimately creating more value for the business.
As a leader, your primary responsibility is to inspire and motivate your employees, driving them to achieve high levels of performance and value creation. However, this task is far from simple. Creating a highly engaged workforce involves multiple elements, which we won't delve into here. Nonetheless, here are some key considerations:
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By leading with empathy and recognizing the value of your people, you cultivate a culture of engagement, loyalty, and high performance.
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?9. Adopt Adaptability as Your Biggest Asset
When it comes to leading at scale, adaptability becomes a critical asset. Just like sailing, where reaching point B from point A requires constant adjustments, leaders must be prepared to navigate through shifting circumstances and make course corrections along the way.
In sailing, the laws of physics prevent sailing directly into the wind. Sailors must constantly tack, maneuvering their sails to move upwind. They also face unpredictable variables such as changing winds and currents. Their journey demands continuous adaptation.
Likewise, the best leaders understand the importance of recognizing the need for course corrections and adapting accordingly. One common adjustment they frequently encounter is the challenge of "doing more with less." It is unsustainable to simply ask an employee to shoulder twice the workload because a counterpart cannot be replaced. As a leader, you must seek better, long-term solutions.
Consider this: When your boss approaches you with additional projects or responsibilities, how do you respond? Saying "no" would likely hinder your career prospects. Instead, you embrace the challenge and find ways to adapt and thrive. You align your resources, optimize workflows, and inspire your team to successfully execute the new deliverables.
Remember, adaptability is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of strength. Embrace it, and you'll thrive in the face of uncertainty and achieve remarkable outcomes.
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10. Communicate Consistently and Transparently
Effective communication encompasses not only what you say but also extends to various other aspects that contribute to your overall presence and influence. It goes beyond the words you choose and encompasses elements such as your appearance, posture, and non-verbal cues. It's a holistic approach to communication that conveys not just the content but also the underlying message and intent.
Consider the following factors that shape your communication:
Verbal Communication: The words you use, the tone of your voice, and the clarity of your message are crucial components of effective communication. Choose your words thoughtfully, speak with confidence and clarity, and adapt your language to suit your audience.
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Remember that effective communication is a multifaceted skill that encompasses both verbal and non-verbal elements. It's about aligning your words, appearance, posture, and emotional intelligence to create a cohesive and impactful message. By mastering these facets, you can enhance your communication effectiveness and elevate your leadership capabilities.
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11. Multiply, Don’t Diminish
There are two types of leaders: Multipliers and Diminishers.
Multipliers are leaders who possess the unique ability to amplify and leverage the intelligence and capabilities of those around them. On the other hand, Diminishers are leaders who unwittingly diminish the potential and capabilities of their team members.?
Multipliers lead with both a strong resolve and a compassionate heart. By creating an environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute their best, Multipliers foster a culture of excellence and extraordinary results. How do they achieve this?
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Multipliers:
Within the realm of Multipliers, there are five distinct types:
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Conversely, Diminishers exhibit behaviors that stifle the potential of their team members:
It is essential for leaders to reflect on their current leadership style and aspire to become Multipliers. This requires ongoing self-assessment and a commitment to seeking open and honest feedback from peers and team members. Inclusive leadership starts at the top and should permeate throughout the organization. Encourage all leaders to embrace the Multiplier mindset consistently. As a Multiplier, you can unlock the full potential of your teams, achieving 95% or greater capability. In contrast, as a Diminisher, you will only tap into less than 50% of their true potential. The stakes are high, and the impact of your leadership is profound.
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12.?Be Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
In my extensive interactions with leaders across Fortune 500 companies, government entities, and non-profit organizations, an overwhelming pattern emerges—99% of them grapple with a common experience known as imposter syndrome. They often find themselves questioning their worthiness and thinking, "Do I really belong here? What if others discover I don't have all the answers?" Surprisingly, even the most accomplished leaders harbor these doubts. The 1% of people who don't have imposter syndrome are the crazy ones. I recommend you do not try to emulate them!
The truth is, feeling like an imposter is a natural part of the leadership journey. And rather than being a cause for concern, this mindset can be liberating. As a leader, it's crucial to embrace discomfort and recognize that it is precisely in uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations where personal growth and development thrive.
By willingly subjecting yourself to new challenges and unfamiliar territories, you expose yourself to valuable learning opportunities. Stepping outside of your comfort zone allows you to expand your skills, acquire new perspectives, and refine your leadership abilities. It may feel daunting at first, but this discomfort is the catalyst for your growth.
Remember, great leaders are not born overnight. They continuously strive to improve themselves, even when faced with uncertainty or self-doubt. Embracing discomfort becomes a badge of honor—a sign that you are actively seeking growth and development.
So, the next time you find yourself questioning your abilities or feeling like an imposter, remind yourself that you are on a transformative journey. Embrace the discomfort, seize the opportunity to learn and grow, and watch as you evolve into a more confident and capable leader.?
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Embrace The Challenge
In conclusion, leading at scale encompasses both familiar and unique aspects of leadership. The principles and insights shared above apply to leaders of all team sizes, yet the expectations and demands amplify exponentially as you navigate larger organizations. It's important to acknowledge that as you ascend to more senior leadership roles, the weight of responsibility can feel isolating. Making tough decisions and shouldering greater accountability can be daunting without a support system.
To navigate this journey successfully, consider seeking guidance from a mentor or coach who can provide valuable perspective and support. The presence of a trusted confidant can alleviate the loneliness and help prevent burnout, allowing you to thrive in your leadership role.
At The NiVACK Group , we understand the challenges of leading at scale, and we are here to help. If you're interested in learning more about the topics discussed or would like personalized guidance tailored to your specific leadership journey, we invite you to reach out to us. Our team of experienced professionals can provide insights, strategies, and support to enhance your leadership effectiveness.
Remember, the opportunity to lead at scale is a remarkable challenge that few have the privilege to experience. By embracing this challenge and seeking the right support, you can become an exceptional leader who leaves a lasting impact on your organization and those you lead.
Contact The NiVACK Group today to embark on your transformative leadership journey. Together, we can navigate the complexities of leading at scale and unlock your full leadership potential.
Driving networks transformation across organisations
1 年Great article bro in law. I am learning what it takes to lead myself and there are some great tips in this piece. Thanks Nick!
Founding Partner + Principal at Connect.GenAI | Driving Procurement Innovation with Generative AI
1 年Nick I’m not sure that everyone that went through this knew how powerful these “spin” events were…I am thankful that you were our leader. It was a wild ride! There are a lot of companies that could benefit from your experience. The NiVACK Group
Business Strategy Transformation | Workforce Transformation | Operational Transformation | The NiVACK Group
1 年Excellent article, boss!
Strategic Talent, Learning & Leadership Development Executive | Building High-Impact, People-First Cultures
1 年Nick Gunn this is an excellent article - thanks for sharing your valuable perspective as a proven, successful leader at scale. I highly recommend this to leaders at all levels to check their current practices and mindsets. Great stuff.
Strategic Planning + Other Services for government entities and more!
1 年Well written, pops!