Don’t you just love those leadership papers that paint a beautiful picture of how leadership should be? You find yourself nodding in agreement, but when it comes to practical implementation, said paper comes up short.
The theory has its place, but asking people to change the way they’ve been doing something for years is another matter. For time-poor leaders already exhausted by today’s firefighting, the important question is how to make it happen.
Change for the better
Leaders want to lead brilliantly. They know that getting people behind change and innovation matters. They understand they hold the torch that lights the path towards it, but it’s not as simple as flicking a switch. What they want to know is how to create the conditions to do more of it.
Bridging the gap between theory and practice, and sharing what works in the real world, is Axiom’s speciality.
Here are three practical ways you can enhance your leadership capabilities to fan the flames of change.
Push from groupthink to re-think
Innovation thrives when people who think differently come together and challenge the status quo. While there’s general acceptance that diverse teams bring strength and resilience, there’s much less recognition that cognitive diversity is essential in that mix.
As a leader, the first practical thing you can do to encourage innovation is to challenge your own ways of thinking and evolve your team’s composition.
That starts by being aware of your own style and then learning to spot and embrace the different perspectives and preferences of others.
From having difference to behaving differently
Next, think about your own behaviour as a leader. If your team always looks to you for the answer, it can leave little room for their own ideas.
Instead, you need to show yourself to be a curious and continuous learner. One who can skilfully bring the right people together but, most critically, ask questions that challenge the status quo, drive change and encourage innovation.
It’s okay for leaders to acknowledge that they aren’t superhuman ‘answer machines’. Your team will be delighted to step up, to be genuinely listened to, and thrilled that their ideas can make a difference.
From working ways to ways that work
Overcoming the logistics of collective problem solving is no mean feat. Leaders need to create an environment that gets the best from cognitively diverse and frequently dispersed teams.
How many times have you left a meeting frustrated because the same usual suspects have contributed or, despite your invitation for questions, nobody has asked a thing?
Those who think differently may also prefer to contribute in different ways. Creating psychologically safe environments where people have different opportunities to contribute can help reflectors and introverts speak up too.
Collaborative technology and effective facilitation techniques can help. Everyone’s input is equal when it comes in – and you can use ‘likes’ to see which ideas resonate most strongly with the group.
Rather than asking for immediate questions, you could also give people some dedicated thinking time. Invite them to come back later with further thoughts or concerns, in whatever format helps them express their thinking.
There is no single action leaders can take to ignite a passion for change and unlock innovation. It’s a series of adjustments that can create a ‘speak up’ culture, encourage new ways of working and help people perform at their best.
How we help
Change rarely happens just because people are told it needs to. We help you involve your people, understand what’s getting in the way and build the communication and engagement needed to make new ways of working stick.
Sometimes change needs more than emails and presentations. An interactive conference gives people the chance to ask questions, share ideas and work through what the change means for them.
When different views need to be heard, an independent facilitator can make all the difference. We help groups have better conversations, challenge established thinking and reach a way forward together.
Our ‘How to create an inclusive ‘Speak Up’ culture by harnessing Psychological Safety‘ programme gives leaders practical ways to encourage different thinking, behaviours and ways of working.
To find out more, get in touch with an expert for a free discovery call.
Book a call >