Times Like This Call For Leading With Straight A's

There are very few times more important for leadership to emerge than in times of uncertainty and in crisis. It is during these times, that leaders must find the courage to show up, inspire, encourage others, equip people with essential skills, communicate, communicate, communicate, and most of all be authentic and real. Those are all traits of leadership that are important at any time, but especially during VUCA times of Volatility, Uncertainty, Chaos (instead of Complex), and Ambiguity. When I say leaders need to step up and demonstrate these characteristics, many people begin to ask, how do I do this? Or better yet, I am not in a position of authority nor am I a manager, so this must not apply to me. Well, I think you may be incorrect. You see, the ability to get straight A's in leadership follows five simple actions that are more choices than they are ability, capability or skill.

The first A is a simple one...Available. The first law of leading in the middle of uncertain and volatile times is to ensure that you are available to those around you. Typically that level of availability would come through ensuring that you are visible to those you lead or ensure that individuals can stop by or reach you when they needed. Now more than ever, it may require far more intentionality to ensure that those you lead or influence know that you are available. Ensure that you are checking in with them regularly. Set aside daily time for a quick pulse check to ensure that they know you are available if needed and that you are concerned about them. It is easiest in a crisis mode to get caught up in doing the work and forget to do one of the most important pieces of leading, be present. So, put the time on your calendar to check-in. Make sure your availability is a top priority.

Another A in leading is Approachable. Now that you are available, the next thing you need to be intentional about is your approachability. Is the tone and the sources of your communications indicate that you are approachable? One of the ways that I would typically discuss this in our previous world, was to ensure that you had very good FI. Well, Dave, I have heard of IQ or Emotional Intelligence, but FI is a new one for me. FI stands for Facial Intelligence. Are you aware of what your body language is communicating when others approach you? Do you tend to scowl, or have the look of overwhelmed or frantic? Do you look like you have been running a marathon or was recently given horrible news? Or do you manage your facial intelligence with an awareness of your surroundings and provide the look that says, "it's safe to talk now." So, turn your camera on! I mean it! When you are having conversations with your teams over face time, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom, engage the camera and let people see that it is safe to talk with you. One last tidbit is your tone. Ensure that when you have gone back to back on meetings all day that you have awareness of your tone, volume, and cadence when leading. These three play another key role in demonstrating that it is safe to talk.

Your Approachability as a Leader is about ensuring that people know it's safe to talk to you about anything at any time.

The third A is yet another that does not require talent, skill, nor ability but is a willful choice and a matter of prioritization: Appreciation. Again, it can become easy to check off all of your tasks for the day or get caught up in what is left to be done and fail to recognize and appreciate what others have done as well. With a reduction in casual connections, your intentionality of demonstrating appreciation will need to improve as well. I was recently at my doctor's office. When I met with the office manager to discuss something, I noticed a picture hanging on the wall that had these words written on it. "A person who feels appreciated will almost always do more than what is expected." There was not a source to these words, but I thought, how true that is for myself and I am sure everyone else. An attitude of gratitude will determine the altitude of your aptitude. I will give you a moment to digest that, but simply put, your attitude of gratitude not only affects how high you can soar, but it impacts the levels at which others can perform as well. Never pass up an opportunity to genuinely appreciate others and make that part of your daily habits. Both of those on your team and others in the organization. Make it a point to recognize at least 2 people each day for the next 5 days (then make it a habit). I challenge you to not let 30 minutes go by after reading this article before you write someone a note of appreciation....I know I will.

A person who feels appreciated will almost always do more than what is expected.

The fourth A is in this position for a reason. You can't do the fourth until you have accomplished the other 3 consistently. The fourth A is Accountability. I once heard John Maxwell say that accountability is simple providing someone or ensuring that someone has able to give an account. It is a way that permits someone to demonstrate or communicate how tightly connected their "say - do" ratio is. Does this individual have a clear understanding of what they need to do and is there a process for them to provide an account for that? Accountability was never intended to be the process of correction or redirection. My good friend Ken Blanchard likes to say, "the way you develop people is to catch them doing something right." To me, that quote is as much accountability as it is to provide redirection or necessary correction. When leaders demonstrate that they are available and approachable while practicing genuine appreciation, your team will welcome accountability because it is necessary to achieve desired goals and improve performance. So, my challenge to you is, get the first three right and ensure that your team or individuals have clear expectations in their own language of what is needed to be accomplished and by when. Then, you will see people looking forward to accountability versus running from it.

The last A is actually the cumulative effect of leading through the first four A's. This fifth A may be the most important, but can not be achieved without leading through the initial principles of available, approachable, appreciative, and accountable practices. This last A is the one word that many people mention when they talk about their favorite leader in their career. That word is, Authentic. When you are facing uncertainty and crisis, people want to know that you are real before they care if you are right. Authentic leadership is not some full disclosure leadership where you talk about all of your fears and doubts while sharing deep secrets. No, an authentic leader is one who can lead in the face of fear and doubt with courage by saying, "I know some of you have fears and doubts because I have them too. But, many of those fears and doubts focus on things outside of our control. We need to focus on what we can control and ensure that we all perform in a way knowing that we did the best that we could with the resources we have to deliver." Being authentic is ensuring that you are true to your values and ensuring that you lead in a way no one questions you being fake or insincere. Starting with heart (values + purpose + passion) is a great way to start leading authentically.

It is in times like these that the resolve of our employees is being challenged from all places and it can become easy to lose footing or even the engagement and loyalty of those we lead unless we choose to be intentional about our straight A's of leading. Each of these may appear rather simple but can be incredibly effective to engage those you lead in times of uncertainty and vulnerability. However, you have a choice to make and that is to ensure you are available. Maintain a posture of high approachability while ensuring you are intentional, purposeful, and empowering through appreciation. Then you can set the necessary goals and track performance through accountability. Lastly, lead from a place of deep authenticity and ensure that you share your heart to lead and desire to see those you lead succeed. Through this we can all emerge stronger, wiser, and higher performing. My hope is that we find a new grade of leadership that will achieve straight A's every time.