Executive coach Marlene Chism believes few leaders get proper leadership training. She argues that many executives, managers and supervisors can’t even identify the components of effective leadership. Leaders often default to automatic pilot. They rarely even see the need to overhaul their philosophies and practices, even though the main reason employees leave jobs is a poor relationship with the boss. Chism shows you how to use “alignment, awareness and accountability” to avoid being that kind of boss. She can be a tad repetitive, though her observations and advice are on target and solid. getAbstract recommends her insights to executives, managers, entrepreneurs and anyone seeking to develop professionally and spiritually.
“Aligned” Leadership
Enlightened leaders practice “alignment, awareness and accountability” based on consistent adherence to moral and ethical values. An organization’s success depends on leaders who are responsible for consistently living these values, teaching them and building on them as the foundation of a transparent corporate culture.
Penn State University’s Joe Paterno won more games than any other football coach in NCAA history, but he essentially ignored that one of his assistant coaches molested young boys in the locker room. The scandal humiliated Paterno; he resigned and died shortly thereafter. Attorney John Edwards appeared to be a contender for the US presidential nomination until news emerged that despite his marriage, he and a campaign worker had a child together.
Leaders’ behavior must align with their established values. If trust is one of your values, then any violation of trust is a misalignment. Your behavior shouldn’t contradict your stated principles. For instance, you can’t claim to value kindness and be rude. Aligned leaders never compromise their integrity. While they recognize that anyone can make a misstep, enlightened leaders understand...
Marlene Chism is a consultant, speaker and the author of Stop Workplace Drama: Train Your Team to Have No Complaints, No Excuses and No Regrets.
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