Posted by Aleksandar M. Velkoski on January 27, 2010 under General Leadership, Leadership Development | 
It is, often, very hard for us to stay positive. This is especially true during times of challenge and difficulty. For some of us, periodic challenge and difficulty can be exciting. For most of us, however, challenge and difficulty, especially prolonged challenge and difficulty, can be exhausting. Positive thinking and action can not only help us get through the challenges and difficulties of leadership, but also can help us embrace challenges in life, which may lead us to totally shift our perspective. I cannot stress enough the importance of positive thinking and action as an antidote to challenge, and as a prescription for long-term success.
The modern concept of positive thinking roots in the study of the human mind. However, as it applies for our discussion in the context of leadership, positive thinking roots in the study of Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS). Some of the bright minds of field include Kim S. Cameron, Jane E. Dutton, Robert E. Quinn, Robert A. Emmons, and Kathleen M. Sutcliffe to name a few. One of my favorite compilations in the field of POS comes from Robert A. Emmons on “Acts of Gratitude in Organizations.” Emmons concluded that the use of gratitude, a moral and positive emotion, leads to positive outcomes in the workplace. If I were a betting man, and sometimes I am, I would say that the use of gratitude leads to positive outcomes in most other situations too!
Kim Cameron’s work on “Positive Leadership” sheds light on the importance of fostering a positive climate, developing positive meaning, establishing positive relationships, and executing positive communication. According to Cameron, through implementing these four strategies a leader can transition into a positive leader. From my perspective, however, these strategies go beyond the scope of leadership to apply to each and every one of us and our every day lives. I cannot think of any situation where fostering a positive climate, developing positive meaning, establishing positive relationships, and executing positive communication would result in negative consequences.
However, let us not be fooled: positive thinking and action requires a lot of work. One exercise that I enjoy (brought to my attention by a university professor) is to challenge myself to think positively for as long as possible. Everytime I think negatively, I put a quarter into a jar. By the end of the week, how many quarters do you think I have saved in the jar? I suggest that everyone try that exercise because it forces you to be conscious of your thoughts and your actions. My only hope for this post would be that it leaves you with a positive attitude and inspires you to be, act, and live positively. It makes a difference.
Posted by Aleksandar M. Velkoski on April 18, 2009 under General Leadership |
When I was a senior in my undergraduate program, I enrolled in an advanced communications course called Professional Presentation Strategies. The course focused on teaching students how to approach effective communication through storytelling. For me, this was a novel concept. I always thought of storytelling as something that we did around a camp fire. However, the reality of the matter is that storytelling can be an excellent way to effectively communicate ideas to others.
Storytelling is not, by any means, a brand new concept. Storytelling has been a big part of human oral tradition for thousands of years. As a matter of fact, storytelling is particularly influential in my cultural heritage (and has been for a very long time). From my personal experience I can say that my parents are master storytellers. When I look back a generation or two preceding my parents, I find even more skillful storytellers. And, let me clarify for a moment: by storytelling I do not mean telling an embellished narrative for entertainment or any other purpose. What I do mean by storytelling is the ability to convey meaning through a description, account, or narrative.
As time has passed through the ages, we have relied less on oral tradition and more on writing to convey meaning. Through this transition, new generations have lost their natural human ability to craft and use story (I’ll include myself in this category). Storytelling is so much more than creative speech and leaders can use story to effectively convey meaning.
Take, for example, a leader that wants to communicate to his people that both ethics and integrity are required within the organization. Not only does he believe that ethics and integrity are required within the organization, but also he wants to make these two items cultural norms within the organization. He sends out a memo, which everyone reads, directly stating that fact. And, his actions complement his statements. How effective do you think this leader will be in his direct communication? Say that instead of communicating directly in the above manner, this leader decides to tell a story about why ethics and integrity are so important to him and why the organization should follow. Perhaps a story about Enron is told, and the hardships faced by its people due to poor ethical standars? Perhaps a story about an ethical organization is told to highlight the advantages? Perhaps some other story is told or a personal experience. How effective, in comparison to a direct communication, do you think this leader will be in conveying meaning? In influencing his people? How effective was the above story in conveying meaning? Influencing you?
Storytelling is an art. What do you think about this concept? Can you provide an example of how storytelling was used in your organization, or life, to effectively convey meaning? Did it work? Looking back in time, with storytelling as a frame of reference, have you used story to convey meaning to others and not consciously know it? Was it effective? I’d like to hear your thoughts.
Posted by Aleksandar M. Velkoski on March 29, 2009 under General Leadership, Leadership Development, Power & Influence |
Here at The Prime Leader, we’ve talked a lot about some of the more popular topics related to the study and practice of leadership. For this post, however, I’d like to focus on a more fundamental topic of leadership studies – communication and, more specifically, the ability to convey meaning. Although the ability to convey meaning is a major topic in the study of communications, those who study and practice leadership tend to neglect it (not because they don’t understand its importance, but because other topics tend to dominate the field – and, in many ways, rightfully so). Nevertheless, I find it key to continually revisit some of these more unique and less talked about aspects of leadership.
Most of us would agree that messages communicated by leadership need to be communicated effectively. Why? Well, because if messages are not communicated effectively, they can be completely lost. If messages are lost objectives will, without question, be botched. What can be more fundamentally devastating to an organization than botched objectives? Without the ability convey meaning, the leadership process is completely ineffective. If your organization (or team, or whatever it happens to be) is frequently failing to meet its objectives, and exceed expectations for that matter, revisit communication in the leadership process.
With that said, how do we, as leaders, properly convey meaning? We should:
- Make Messages Memorable
- One way to properly convey meaning is by making messages memorable. In order for a message to be memorable, it must have the ability to be summarized briefly. It should provide guidance regarding how individuals are expected to perform, what rules bind them, and what organizational and cultural norms apply.
- Communicate Consistently
- Another way to properly convey meaning is by communicating consistently. If you deliver a message to a subordinate and then change your mind (thus delivering a second message) – then maybe even a third - is it really possible to effectively convey meaning?
- Time Messages Appropriately
- Another way to properly convey meaning is by timing messages appropriately. An improperly timed message will undoubtedly be lost. A common rule is that key messages should be communicated either earlier-on within a discussion or late within a discussion (as those tend to be the freshest in the mind).
- Choose the Proper Communication Style
- Finally, in order to properly convey meaning one must deliver a message in the proper communication style. Some messages can be more influential if communicated in person. Other messages may be more effective in written form. Adjust your communication style according to your objective.
In conclusion, the ability to convey meaning is an important part of the leadership process. A leader that can communicate effectively, and that can convey meaning, is one that will be more successful and influential. The next time you intend to communicate an important message, take a step back and ask yourself: “am I about to communicate memorably, consistently, at the right time, and with the right communication style?” If you utilize these checks before you deliver a message, you will likely communicate effectively and properly convey meaning.
It is, often, very hard for us to stay positive. This is especially true during times of challenge and difficulty. For some of us, periodic challenge and difficulty can be exciting. For most of us, however, challenge and difficulty, especially prolonged challenge and difficulty, can be exhausting. Positive thinking and action can not only help us get through the challenges and difficulties of leadership, but also can help us embrace challenges in life, which may lead us to totally shift our perspective. I cannot stress enough the importance of positive thinking and action as an antidote to challenge, and as a prescription for long-term success.