The Progressive Posture

Effective leadership requires us to locate the right people, invest in their development, cultivate them into leaders, and advance them to areas of increased influence and responsibility. As our people develop, we develop.  I used to tell my Marines and Sailors, Together, WE grow because I realized as I attempted to develop them in to better leaders I had the benefit of becoming better myself. Leaders get people moving, they energize, mobilize, and take people and organizations to levels they’ve never seen before Kouzes & Posner, 2007). As leaders we know leadership is a very challenging and demanding endeavor. As we lead today, leadership requires much more than giving orders and expecting immediate results. It requires us to strategically think, plan and execute the demands of our positions in a way in which we ensure the needs of our people are being met as we accomplish our objectives through them. I have found the way to accomplish this is through a positive approach I refer to as the “Progressive Posture”. Believe it or not, this concept came to me many years ago when I was serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Working in a foreign country around people who do not want you there takes more than a rifle, it takes leadership. Leading those under your charge, the local populace and higher headquarters who are back in the rear calling the shots. The following paragraphs will explain how it is applicable in all situations. Let’s first break down the term “Progressive Posture” by taking a look at each word separately. This will explain the reasoning behind the phrase and help us understand it better as we discuss later the effectiveness, advantages, and necessity of this concept. 

The word progress comes from the Latin word progressus, meaning “going forward” or to advance. Progressive is an adjective of progress, defined by the Merriam -Webster dictionary as “happening or developing gradually or in stages; proceeding step by step”. Leadership by nature is a process, a slow metamorphosis. If the process is not progressive then it is not advancing or moving forward. Over time it can no longer be called a process because it becomes stagnant and inevitable irrelevant. The same thing is true for people, and any other form of life for that matter, if something is not “growing” or advancing it becomes stagnant and eventually dies. There for I do not use the word “Progressive” lightly or because it sounds good, I use it to describe the process of becoming better in the categories of people and organizations. 

Posture is defined in the Merriam -Webster dictionary in three but equally important ways that interlock. The first definition defines posture as “the position or bearing of the body whether characteristic or assumed for a special purpose”. The special purpose in this case is advancement, development, accomplishment and growth. The second definition of posture is “state or condition at a given time especially with respect to capability in particular circumstances”. This means you are ready to answer the call or address a dilemma at any time. It means readiness, or the state of being ready. Preparation is extremely important because second chances to win, in business, sports, war or any other endeavor are unlikely. The third definition described in the Merriam -Webster dictionary in regard to posture is “a conscious mental or outward behavioral attitude”. This translates to forward, or strategic thinking. Looking to the future and having vision for where you want to take your people and organization is essential for longevity and development.   

Combining these two words into a phrase that describes an effective and proven concept was not accidental. On the contrary, using the words in conjunction, was deliberate and carefully considered. Growing and getting better is a primary goal of any individual or organization. In order to do so the leader has to posture themselves in a manner that encourages readiness, promotes shared vision, and most importantly the right state or attitude. Progressive Posture considers the many different leadership theories, concepts and styles but its implantation transcends the all. At its rudiments Progressive Posture has many advantages below are six of the most prevalent. 

Emits the Right Attitude

“Attitude is everything” is an age old proverb that remains true in any endeavor. With the right attitude most people can accomplish nearly any goal or aspiration they desire. In his cassette series, “Leading the Field”, the dean of personal development, Earl Nightingale expressed that attitude is the most important word in any language. I believe this to be true. I have found the right attitude has assisted me in completing every accomplished goal I have set for myself to date. Merriam-Webster defines attitude as, “a position assumed for a specific purpose which usually affects our behaviors” Attitude affects our behavior and as a result it has to be addressed in order to ensure we are advancing in our organizations and taking maximum advantage of opportunities. As it relates to Progressive Posture, not only must leaders have the right attitude, they spread it like a contagious colds to those they lead.

Obtains Positive Organizational Climate or Culture

Organizational Culture, referred to in the military, as Command Climate is crucial to the development of our people and accomplishing objectives and missions. The goal is to create a progressive culture that inspires people to do their best in all endeavors. The cornerstone of creating an all-inclusive positive culture or climate is trust. Denzel Washington, once stated “If you don’t trust the piolet, don’t go”. For others to truly follow our lead as leaders trust must be present, or else they “won’t go”. Earning trust take work, it means getting to know you people and being humble and secure enough to let them get to know you. This is uncomfortable for a lot of leaders but you will never be able to get an accurate pulse on your organization if you do not build trust. Establish trust and enable yourself to identify what is broken on your organization. Unveiling what is broken enables us to target specific cracks in the foundation of the organization. In regard to Progressive Posture, knowing what problems to target, we can orient ourselves to adjust the thermostat and set the temperature and atmospherics on the path to productivity.

Promotes Productivity

Productivity is commonly defined as “A measure of the efficiency of a person, machine, factory, or system, in converting inputs into useful outputs”. Productivity is measured by results. This means a leader must vividly identify the specific metrics in which their organization and its people are being expected to meet or exceed. For example, Marines are expected to maintain a high state of readiness. What constitutes readiness, sure the leaders and subordinate leaders know but the term readiness is too vague. It must be broken down and prioritized in to metrics in order for all to feel the since of pride and accomplishment when milestones are met. This means once the metrics are identified the hard part is articulating across the board to all members of the organization. When you are taking a “Progressive Posture” productivity is paramount. People normally want to perform well. However, they must know what right looks like and how they are being measured. An advantage of taking a Progressive Posture, in terms of productivity, is people take pride in accomplishment and so do leaders. This shared common ground of achievement fosters teamwork, cohesion, and a since of togetherness between the leader and the led.   

Encourages Initiative

Abraham Lincoln once said, “"Things may come to those who wait, but only things left by those who hustle”. When people know that there leaders care about their wellbeing as well as the mission, loyalty increases and so does initiative. Initiative is synonymous with action, aggressiveness, ambition, drive, enterprise, and hustle. What brings these verbs (actions) to the level of initiative is that people apply them with our having to be told. At its roots initiative is acting independently and getting things done. It doesn’t require all of the stars to line up in order to start, it means taking action first. Leaders can foster ingenuity by encouraging their people act independently because you have empowered them. However, they must know they have the leader’s support to take a risk, step into the unknown and see where it leads. An understanding that if I does not work out valuable experience is gained. When leaders encourage initiative it creates an atmosphere of empowerment. When leaders take up a Progressive Posture people feel empowered and they take ownership of the objective, task or mission.    

Transmits Trust

Lao Tzu, widely considered the father of Taoism, once stated, “He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted”. Trust must be earned. However, in order to take a Progressive Posture the leader and the led must transmit trust both ways. To transmit means to broadcast or send out a signal. Merriam-Webster defines trust as “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone”. Once transmitted a signal can travel in all directions. However, the initial signal, in regard to trust must be initiated by the leader. Once the signal of trust is received by the follower, it may take a while, but over time it will be reciprocated and transmitted back to the leader. The Progressive Posture transmits trust both ways and foster an atmosphere of reliance.    

Charters Change

             Wayne Dyer, the late great legendary self-help author and motivational speaker once said, “Change is the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” Change is an inevitable part of life, both on an individual and an organizational level. Change management is defined as “the discipline that guides how we prepare, equip and support individuals to successfully adopt change in order to drive organizational success and outcomes” (Baca, 2005). As leaders we must not only prepare for change my gaining and maintain fluidity, we must prepare our people for it as well. Gaining a Progressive Posture requires leaders to “stay in the know”. This means being ahead of trends, current events, processes and doctrine. Keeping our people informed and prepared for change maintains the mobility of the organization. When our people are prepared our organizations are prepared, making the change exciting and considering it a challenge instead of a setback.

Leadership today is challenging and demanding of time and energy. It requires us to strategically think, plan and execute the demands of our positions in a way in which we ensure the needs of our people are being met as we accomplish our objectives through them. The truth of the matter is, it is really about taking care of people. Whether it is in combat or the office an investment in the people involved is the major key to long-term success. Taking a “Progressive Posture” positions the leader and the organization for success. However, the success of the leader and the organization is the byproduct of assisting the people the organization in achieving their full potential.    

References

Baca, C. M. (2005). Project managers spotlight on change management. Harbor Light

Press.

Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2007). The leadership challenge: how to keep getting   

    extraordinary things done in organizations. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.