Obsessions of a Great Leadership Team

Statistics indicate that a person will have an average of twelve jobs in their lifetime, resulting in an equal amount of management teams from whom they will take direction. Take a moment to reflect on your career and the different leadership visions you've come across or have been asked to assume.

Defined as having intense and persistent thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that consume a significant amount of time and attention obsession is a powerful word. Directed properly this energy can achieve great things and build great teams.

In this reflection we explore how healthy obsessions can drive growth and foster a culture of excellence across the organization.

1. Obsess Over People, Listening, Culture, Mindset, Messaging, and Communication.

In today's interconnected world, organizations are only as strong as their people. By obsessing over the well-being, development, and engagement of employees, leaders can cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration. This begins with active listening, understanding the needs and aspirations of individuals, and fostering a mindset of empathy and inclusion. Effective messaging and communication channels further reinforce company values and objectives, ensuring alignment and clarity across all levels.

Outcomes That Make A Difference? Low attrition is the result of this obsession. People chose to stay because they see more than just a transaction. They see themselves as part of the organization.         

A manager of ours had a very "hands-on" approach to leadership. She leads from the proverbial front, leveraging her years of technical experience to elevate her teammates. What's special about her is that people flock to her. Despite the grueling challenges of this group they offer their expertise to make things better.

2. Obsess Over Data and Analysis.

Data is the lifeblood of modern organizations, providing invaluable insights into customer behavior, market trends, and operational performance. By obsessing over data collection, analysis, and interpretation, businesses can make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and mitigate risks. This requires investing in robust analytics tools, fostering a data-driven culture, and empowering employees with the skills and resources to leverage data effectively.

Outcomes That Make A Difference? Having a consistent set of metrics is the result of this obsession. The organization operates against a single source of truth. Every teammate is focused on improving the numbers.        

Another manager of ours possess the amazing skill of "data gymnastics". She would bring various data sources together in order to generate insights that drive action. And, by demonstrating the ease of obtaining information, she's inspired other managers in our group to emulate her approach.

3. Obsess Over Performance, Guidance, Improvement, Change, and Alignment.

Continuous improvement is essential for staying competitive in today's dynamic business landscape. By obsessing over performance metrics, setting clear goals, and providing guidance and support, leaders can inspire teams to achieve their full potential. Embracing change and aligning strategies with evolving market demands enable organizations to adapt and thrive in uncertain times. Through a relentless focus on improvement and alignment, companies can drive sustainable growth and create lasting value.

Outcomes That Make A Difference? Crystallization of knowledge in tools and knowledge articles are the result of this obsession. Progressive growth is accelerated because access to these tools are ready. Change is easy to implement when the examples are available.        

We have a manager who's contributed tremendously to our organization's scalability initiative by building artifact repositories that allow our engineers to reuse them in projects. This productivity enabler allows our teammates to focus on more value-added activities.

4. Obsess Over Each Other.

Strong relationships are the cornerstone of any successful organization. By obsessing over collaboration, support, and recognition, teams can harness the collective intelligence and creativity of diverse perspectives. This requires building trust, fostering a spirit of camaraderie, and celebrating individual and collective achievements. When people feel valued and connected, they are more motivated to contribute their best work and go above and beyond for the greater good.

Outcomes That Make A Difference? Rallying support for every teammates' plight is a result of this obsession. When care and concern for your teammates come first the returns are exponential. This is a management "super power".        

Our lean management layer, coupled with a flat hierarchy, allows information to permeate easily. Personal hardships, professional difficulties, and everything else in between are quickly triaged and responded to. It is supercharged when every manager engages their direct reports, regularly.

5. Obsess Over Details, Small Things, and Transparency.

Success often lies in the details – the small, seemingly insignificant elements that collectively shape the customer experience and organizational effectiveness. By obsessing over details, organizations can deliver exceptional products and services that delight customers and drive loyalty. Transparency in decision-making and communication builds trust and credibility, fostering stronger relationships with stakeholders and enabling more effective collaboration.

Outcomes That Make A Difference? Production of tailored messaging is a result of this obsession. Every situation is unique requiring an equally relevant response. Some like charts and graphs while others prefer walks around the campus.        

One of our managers loves to distill copious amounts information into presentations, but his secret sauce is his keen knowledge over what's behind each data point. Double-clicking brings you deeper insight into the topic, enabling richer conversations, in the end.

6. Obsess Over Action & Pragmatism.

In a world of endless possibilities, action is the ultimate driver of progress. By obsessing over execution, agility, and pragmatism, organizations can turn ideas into reality and overcome obstacles with resilience and determination. This requires a bias towards action, a willingness to experiment and iterate, and a focus on delivering tangible results. Embracing a pragmatic approach enables teams to prioritize initiatives based on impact and feasibility, maximizing value and minimizing waste.

Outcomes That Make A Difference? "Grab the bull by the horns" mindset is a result of this obsession. Problems are never left to fester. Inaction in others is overcome by true accountability for results.        

One of our more technical managers, when given the opportunity, will code her way out of a problem. Numerous solutions are available for immediate execution. And, her roll-up-the-sleeves approach has earned her the admiration of her people, her peers, and the executive team.

7. Obsess Over Clarity of Vision.

At the heart of every successful organization lies a clear and compelling vision that inspires and guides its actions. By having a clear vision, leaders can ensure that everyone within the organization understands the overarching purpose and direction, aligning their efforts towards common goals. This clarity serves as a north star, guiding decision-making, prioritization, and resource allocation. It also fosters a sense of purpose and belonging among employees, motivating them to contribute their best towards realizing the organization's vision. Regularly revisiting and refining the vision ensures that it remains relevant and resonant in the face of evolving market dynamics and internal changes, reinforcing a shared sense of identity and direction.

Outcomes That Make A Difference? A "down to earth" easily digestable outlook is the result of this obsession. Rallying a large, global, and multi-cultural organization requires that each message has a clear answer to two questions "What's in it for me?" and "Do I have what it takes to be successful?"        

In conclusion, these healthy leadership obsessions can be a powerful force for driving organizational excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. By prioritizing people, data, performance, collaboration, details, and action, leaders can create a dynamic and resilient organization poised for long-term success in an ever-changing world.