The Compliment
The greatest leadership competency compliment I ever received was from a subordinate who said : “Christine, you have a natural talent to show us the future.” I liked the fact that she recognized my visionary talent.
In fact, I reveled in it and I mentally patted my psyche on the back for several days.
What I Didn’t Know Then
What I didn’t know then – I could get ahead of my team – far ahead of my team and leave them thinking:
- “How do we get there?”
- “Where’s the manual or roadmap?
- “What am I supposed to do now?”
- “What should I do with…?”
- “Here we go again…”
What I had to learn: the best way to share a new vision was to become proficient in establishing an environment for collaboration in order to brainstorm the steps that would operationalize the new direction.
Leadership Gap Model
Most consultants and managers describe the difference between where you are and where you want to go as ‘The Gap’ which is typically attributed to or referred to as a team member gap. The team member gap is normally characterized as a lack of knowledge, a need for training, a lack of sufficient motivation, etc.
I have found that the difference between where you are and where you want to go is actually a ‘Leadership Gap’ – that speaks more to the leader’s need to develop the learning agility gene in order to become more self-aware and collaborative.
The Awful Realization
Here’s the awful realization: I could have provided great tools and training programs for my team to bridge the ‘The Gap’ – and still not achieved the goal without realizing I needed to first change myself by acknowledging my ‘Leadership Gap’.
The Leadership Gap Recipe™
A question for you to consider:
* Were you happy with the result of your organization’s last vision shift or major change strategy?
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Christine M. Glasco consults to company executives, business owners and non-profit leaders on career management/career transformation and strategic leadership development solutions. To request a complimentary copy of Five Tips to Transform Your Executive Career and to receive Who Needs a One Page Career Plan? You Do! go to: www.christineglasco.com Email: info@christineglasco.com Phone: 1.940.367.0837