Here at the Rescue Mission we are striving towards a healthy leadership culture where leaders at all levels of the organization are getting experience and training to run effective organizations in the future. Why? Because non-profits needs more GREAT leaders and the more leaders we produce here the better the world will be. To my great encouragement we have several leaders in our organization who will in my estimation will make great CEO’s and Executive Directors in the near future. With that in mind, for the next few weeks I’m going to focus on 10 behaviors which are key to creating healthy leadership cultures. It will certainly be something we talk about and try to example within the Rescue Mission, but I am sure it will encourage others as well.
There are some behaviors which are characteristics of healthy leadership cultures which are openly discouraged in the majority of organizations because they are either seen as anarchical or at best a waste of time. Yet to have a healthy leadership culture you need these same key behaviors accepted, and even promoted.
This week we will focus on the importance of curiosity and persistence:
Ask Questions. So many leaders and managers suffer under the expectations that they will have “the answer” to the challenges they face. Instead, think of being the one who asks the most questions of those around you. Great leaders probe for understanding and have an insatiable curiosity. They are curious about why some people succeed and others fail. They are curious why some departments have high turnover or huge amounts of people taking sick leave. They can’t stop wondering why innovation and creativity comes from one group and the other is always silent and reclusive.
Understanding comes through curiously seeking root causes and pushing for answers. I suggest that leaders ask no less than 5 questions on every troubling subject they are dealing with. In 5 questions you can get to the bottom of almost any problem. Try it. Don’t give up after two questions, which is usually where people start to feel uncomfortable, but instead push through and keep asking. If you do it politely and without malice you will be helping uncover the real issues at the bottom of your systemic problems. Lead through asking questions. While people may wince at the idea (we don’t like to be questioned) responsibility requires a leader know and understand what they are ultimately responsible for. If you are accountable, you have the right to ask those you lead lots of questions.
Likewise you need to be willing to accept and field lots of questions. You can’t make decisions that affect others without being asked why you did it and what your plan is.
Question: How many questions do you ask in a meeting before you start to feel uncomfortable? Do you just accept statements from your team without questioning? Do you feel like asking questions is rude?
Let me know what you think.
DC
