Contextual Leadership: Reading, Cultivating, and Impacting Contextual Influences

1. Context SensitivityRecognizing Opportunities & Constraints “An ability to read the context directly affects framing effectiveness.” (1996, p. 80) Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

2. Context Defined • How people think • What people expect ~~~~~~~~ • Being insensitive to context can be destructive. (1996, p. 98) Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

3. Leaders can learn how to: • Interpret and evaluate, or read, a context • Cultivate a context • Recognize the constraints of a context • Impact the flow of communication Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

4. Leaders must examine the frame for 5 things: • Contextual Influences • Permeability • Consistency • Reality • Timing Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

5. Contextual Influences • Knowing the culture (values & beliefs) • Cultural Norms – thoroughness, speed, valuing, risk-taking, appearance, conformity • See DocNott’s notes on culture • See AOF p. 83-86 Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

6. Permeability • Having the capacity to embrace new elements (a key part of examining the frame) • AOF p. 97-90 Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

7. Consistency • Based on an internal compass or principles • Allows for adaptation to current circumstances • p. 90-92 (Example on p. 91) Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

8. Reality • Acquisition or development of appropriate mental models (p. 92-93) • Are you making the situation fit your mental model? • Are you developing a mental model based on the data of the situation? • How do you handle mixed or inconclusive evidence if you have extremely strong beliefs? Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

9. Timing • Make timing appropriate through the assessment of the context for the use of: • Proactive Framing • Retroactive Framing Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

10. Proactive Framing • Moving deliberately to improve success, or to head off possible difficulties or failures Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham

11. Retroactive Framing • Reflection and management of meaning after accurate perspective has been regained Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham