René Carayol

Manage a Little Less and Lead a Little More

When the markets get tough, business gets even tougher.

At a time when everybody is striving to be the best, it is those that are truly special, different and unique that will rise above the rest. It is time to break out from the pack.

The implications for those without inspired leadership are stark. It’s time to take a long, hard look in the mirror and reveal some home truths.

Do you suffer from any of these?

• Low morale
• A lack of direction
• Staff attrition
• A lack of innovation
• Poor collaboration
• Poor communication
• A lack of pace and agility
• Becoming risk averse

If so, then some fundamental issues need to be addressed fast and that means everybody must step up to the plate immediately.

Leadership is not the sole domain of those at the top of the tree; it can and must be exhibited THROUGHOUT any organisation.

Far too many businesses have resorted to management alone to keep their engines running but it is simply no longer enough in isolation. Every business has management ‘on tap’; it can be trained, bought-in or outsourced.

It is leadership that is the differentiator.

This is not about traditional businesses being bad and new economy businesses being good; it is about understanding why some organisations cannot escape the pull of the past. Strategies are being forced to shift from ‘not wanting to lose’ to wanting to win.

Whilst for some this brings uncertainty, for others it offers an opportunity. It is a chance to shake things and focus on what everyone does differently.

What are your strengths? Who do you collaborate with? Do you have a diverse workforce?

Where is the leadership coming from?

It is time for everyone to see what lies within their grasp and make the changes that could trigger the most profound effects on the organisation.

The Age Of Uncertainty

During the good times, when things are going well, revenues are rolling in, profits are fat and contracts are plentiful, morale tends to be ‘good enough’ across most organisations. This coupled with a decent approach to management is often enough to get by.

After all, everyone is a good sailor in calm waters.

It’s during the tough times that leadership counts, especially when there is uncertainty in the air.

And let’s make no mistake – we’re in a tough place.

This is a call to arms; there are no easy decisions and the debate is over.

It’s not about strategy but about culture and engagement. If strategy is what we do, culture is how we feel about it whilst we do it. You wanted empowerment, you’ve got it.

It is time to hold our nerve, back ourselves and keep doing things a little differently; doing more with less, running faster and building a common purpose. But most of all, it’s about delivering it all in honest and authentic communication.

The best communication is good news, second best is bad news but worst of all is no news.

Uncertainty breeds fear. And fear does not produce positive behaviour or positive results.

It’s time to put leadership back on the agenda.

Culture Is More Powerful Than Strategy

Corporate culture is the personality of your organisation; it’s the way your company does business and how it conducts itself – setting the foundations for your employees’ beliefs and expectations of work.

99 times out of 100 the culture is set by the behaviours and values of the leadership team. It’s what you talk about, what you gossip about, how you recognise and reward, the language you use, your work / life balance, how you promote and discipline people. Your people will take their lead from you. It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.

In short, your culture is what you stand for. And if done correctly, it becomes far stronger than any leader or individuals.

But how do you change an existing culture riddled with negativity and cynicism into a high performing culture?

It can only come from the leadership.

Every organisation MUST have strong, visible role models who practise and epitomise the new behaviours and values ALL of the time.

Culture doubters often ask, “Should we focus on getting the right strategy and then get the right people to execute or should we get the right people and leave the strategy to them?”

The answer is people first EVERY time. Great people will make even the most ordinary strategy sparkling. Remember – however good the strategy, it will never survive first contact with the enemy.