The 360 Leader

1. The 360 Leader Leading From the Middle John C. Maxwell

2. Myths of Leading from the Middle • The Position Myth: I can’t lead if I’m not on top • The Destination Myth: When I get to the top, then I’ll learn to lead • The Influence Myth: If I were on top, then people would follow me • The Inexperience Myth: When I get to the top, then I’ll be in control

3. Myths of Leading from the middle • The Freedom Myth: When I get to the top, I’ll no longer be limited • The Potential Myth: I can’t reach my potential if I’m not the top leader • The All or Nothing Myth: If I can’t get to the top, then I won’t try to lead

4. Challenges Facing 360 Leaders • The Tension Challenge – the pressure of being caught in the middle. Factors that impact the tension Empowerment – Authority and responsibility Initiative – How to balance initiating vs overstepping boundaries Job Parameters – Knowledge Appreciation – Who gets the credit

5. How to Relieve Tension Challenge • Get comfortable in the middle • Get clear lines of communication • Get quick answers • Maintain trust of the leader • Find a way to relieve stress

6. Bad Leadership • The Insecure Leader • The Visionless Leader • The Incompetent Leader • The Selfish Leader • The Chameleon Leader • The Political Leader (see Chameleon) • The Controlling Leader • The Bully Leader

7. How to Relieve Bad Leadership Challenge • Find common ground • Identify and appreciate leader’s strengths • Leverage strengths and add value • Get permission to develop a game plan • Expose the leader to good leadership resources • Publicly affirm the leader • Stay true to yourself

8. Leading Up • Be the type of person that others want to follow • Manage emotions • Manage time “Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it” M. Scott Peck • Manage priorities • 80% of the time work where you are strongest • 15% of the time work where you are learning • 5% of the time work in other necessary areas

9. Leading Up • Create a stop doing list • Become a specialist • The ABC’s of energy management • Activity without direction – doing things that don’t matter • Burden without action – not being able to do things that really matter • Conflict without resolution – not being able to deal with the issue

10. Leading Up • THINK • Make your words have value • LISTEN • Create balance in your life • Do your job well • For every problem you identify, bring a solution • Be honest – tell the leader what they need to hear, not what they want to hear • Stand up for the leader • Stand in for the leader

11. Leading Across • Expand your circle of acquaintances beyond: • Your inner circle • Your expertise • Your strengths • Your personal prejudices

12. Leading Across • Take an interest in people • Get to know people • Respect people • Add value to people • Fill in their gaps • Share with others • Invest in their growth • Take them along

13. Leading Across • Affirm people – compliment in public, be genuine • Enjoy healthy competition it creates camaraderie • Be a friend • Listen • Find an interest not related to work • Be available outside business hours • Have a sense of humor • Be truthful – “A friend is one who warns you”

14. Leading Across • “When the eagle are silent, the parrots begin to jabber”, W. Churchill – avoid office politics • Evade petty arguments • Stand up for what’s right – not popular • Maximize your vantage point from the middle, look at all sides of the issue • Be credible and consistent • Let the best idea win

15. Leading Across • Be Real/Authentic • Admit your faults • Ask for advice • Be open to learning from others • Put away pride and pretense (BE REAL)

16. Leading Down • Slow down • Express that you care • Create balance of personal and professional interest • Pay attention when people start to avoid you • It’s about the people. Tend to the people, they will tend to the business

17. Leading Down • See everyone as a 10 – not a 2 • Catch them doing something right • Believe the best

18. Leading Down • Develop each team member as a person. Remember please, that development is a long term process • Discover each person’s dreams • Lead each person uniquely • Facilitate each person’s self knowledge • Engage in hard conversations readily • CELEBRATE • Empower and prepare them for leadership

19. Leading Down • Discover their strengths • Give them the right job • Provide world class training

20. Leading Down • Model desired behavior • The leader’s • Behavior determines the culture • Attitude determines the atmosphere • Values determines the decisions • Investment determines the return • Work ethic determines the productivity

21. Leading Down • Transfer the Vision with • Clarity • Connection to past, present and future • Purpose • Goals • Stories (STAR) • Passion

22. Leading Down • Reward for results • Praise publicly and privately – talk is cheap unless you back it up with money • Remember please, you get what you pay for • Reward individually • Give perks beyond pay • Promote

23. Team Building • Visionary leaders are willing to hire people better than themselves • Wise leaders shape people into teams • Wise leaders listen

24. Without a Leader • Vision is lost • Decisions are delayed • Agendas multiply • Conflicts are extended • Morale is low • Production is reduced • Success is difficult

25. Adaptability Discernment Perspective Communication Security Servanthood Resourcefulness Maturity Endurance Countability Qualities of 360 Degree Leaders