Leadership Stability

Leadership Stability: Control or Alignment? High performing organizations thrive with leadership which is stable and predictive. Predictability on the other hand, conveys characteristics of boring or routine. Stable predictive leadership is forward looking, anticipating future challenges, but balanced in deliberation and execution. Weaker leaders attempt stability by control of people, processes, and customer or stakeholder inputs. They cannot handle or do not wish to see reality on its own terms. They prefer a picture of effectiveness they can edit. People don't stray from what the boss wants out of fear. High performing leaders create stability through alignment on goals. They communicate a clear picture of the end game which is compelling, meaningful, optimistic, hopeful and empowering of the initiative of others. Change comes through the risk taking of subordinates who know the goals and are challenged to find strategies to get there. Control is leader centric, doomed to fail. Alignment is other centric, breeding the success of others in pursuit of common goals and a common good. -Dave Ramey