As the leader of your organization, it can be all too easy to be consumed with the everyday internal activities and operations of your team, department or company. Yet maintaining a strong connection to the world beyond your own four walls is essential for building industry recognition, unleashing creativity, igniting innovation and driving market leadership.
In my work with Fortune 500 executives, we explore ways to increase connectivity and accelerate success by becoming involved with boards, participating in trade associations, attending key partner conferences and actively contributing to industry publications and events.
I like to practice what I preach. I am a longstanding member of the American Psychological Association, a new member of the advisory board for Life Science Leader magazine and I have, for years, been an active member of the Society for the Advancement of Consulting (SAC). In these ways, I stay connected to my clients and abreast of industry trends, while continually learning and sharing best practices with the most sophisticated and successful consultants in the world.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to offer advice to the readers of Life Science Leader and contributed to SAC’s press release on politics in the workplace. In case you missed either, here are some excerpts with links to the original publications:
Read the original: Ask the Expert – Life Science Leader
What’s The Fastest Route To Creating A High-Performing Team?
1. Be crystal clear about what you are trying to achieve…
2. Make sure you’ve got the right people in the right roles doing the right things…
3. Get your people talking to each other…
Read the original: Harshly Opposing Political Views in the Workplace Offer New Challenge for American Organizations: SAC Press Release, April 1, 2017
Strong Leadership is Critical
Liz Bywater, PhD, leadership expert and author of the forthcoming book, Slow Down to Speed Up®, notes “My most successful clients actively foster diversity of thought and robust discussion within their organizations. But in today’s hot political climate, discourse can quickly turn ugly. Coworkers may take fiercely disparate positions on passionately held topics and the tenor of discussion can undermine productive discourse. Worse, it can damage relationships and weaken the spirit of collaboration.”
Says Dr. Bywater, “Leaders have to deal directly with this. Rather than avoid or ignore the tension, they must be proactive, bold and directive with their employees. No matter how intense the topic, discussion among colleagues is always to remain thoughtful, respectful and professional. Great leaders clearly set the expectation, practice what they preach, and hold people to account.”
View the full release here.
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Here’s the takeaway: If you find yourself insufficiently connected to the world of your clients, competitors, colleagues and industry experts, it’s time to branch out. Find one organization, event or publication and get involved. Participate, advise, attend, contribute. Become a thought leader. You, along with your team, company and customers will be far better for it.
