By Dave Wendland, for Forbes Agency Council, as appeared on Forbes.com
Much has been written about approaches to leadership and organizational effectiveness. None are necessarily incorrect; however, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, nor a magic pill. Rather, leadership begins with purpose or aim.
While both of these words can be defined as “what one intends to accomplish or attain,” the word “aim” implies a more intentional determination. It points to the underlying root of why an organization is doing what it is undertaking. For leaders, taking aim at specific targets or goals is one of the first steps to guide employees to where they should focus their efforts.
I like to break down the concept of taking aim into three components, which I call the A-I-M approach: appreciation, imagination and motivation. The common thread across all three of these principles is communication—and leaders cannot be effective without it.
Appreciation
Showing genuine gratitude is a foundational aspect of effective leadership. Expressing heartfelt encouragement demonstrates empathy and humility. And this simple show of appreciation directly benefits the organization by motivating employees to continue contributing to the company’s success and nurturing their loyalty.
Although I’ve been blessed with incredible examples of servant leaders throughout my career, one of the most memorable was shortly after I joined HRG. One day, the company founder summoned me to his office to express his gratitude and offer me a unique opportunity. Despite having little direct industry experience at the time, he acknowledged my knack for presenting to groups and imparting knowledge. He said, “I truly appreciate your giftedness and feel this is something that will bode well as your career grows.” (He was absolutely right!) He invited me to speak to a group of representatives from one of our largest clients at the time, on a topic that was a bit outside my scope of knowledge. His appreciation for my skills and his encouragement provided that opportunity, which was immensely beneficial to our client, enhanced the relationship, strengthened our company’s reputation and facilitated my professional development.
Imagination
Perhaps stemming from my improvisational training or countless presentations and keynote addresses, I believe encouraging creativity and out-of-the-box thinking is vitally important to effective leadership. A leader’s job is not to be the author of all ideas but to inspire team members to tap into their imaginations and present fresh approaches to solving problems, delivering solutions and communicating with clients. Gen. George S. Patton once said: “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.”
I remember a specific time when an industry consultant was helping equip a group of future leaders. She was leading us in an exercise to solve a hypothetical customer situation. She then asked who had an approach that we could take to solve the issue. Being met with blank stares and “I don’t knows,” she reframed the question by asking, “If you did know how to solve it, how would your customer benefit?” That question opened up a stream of answers, which eventually led to a plan to solve the situation.
This is a reminder that you should never place constraints on your or your team’s imagination.
Motivation
During an executive roundtable I recently hosted, the group discussed the concept of leadership and the differences between process-focused and people-focused cultures. We all agreed that leading with an eye toward people rather than process was by far a more effective approach.
Regardless of the type of business, every business begins and ends with people. And people have needs. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs identifies five human needs: physiological needs, safety, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. One of the responsibilities of a leader is to understand what moves their teams into action. As author and leadership coach John Maxwell famously wrote, “A leader is great not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others.” I call that motivation.
Another exercise during the roundtable focused on lasting legacies and how each participant’s interaction with team members can leave a lasting impression. Some of the actions we felt led to impressions that lifted team members included genuine appreciation, sincere listening, empathy and caring, and making true connections. As a leader, you have to be prepared at all times to motivate others through demonstratable actions.
A-I-M To Lead
The magic of transforming a team, a business or an entire industry begins by taking A-I-M: show your appreciation, encourage imagination and motivate others. These actions can ignite any organization.