Consistency - A Crucial Deserving Leadership Trait
While peaks and valleys are inherent in any business, it is especially true for the typically seasonal AV industry, only compounded by post-pandemic challenges. It is natural for any leader to try varying styles and tactics - commonly referred to as situational leadership. A true DeServing leader must recognize situational leadership as a poor excuse for inconsistency and unpredictability. Inconsistent leadership can spell death for any team.
What is Situational Leadership? It’s a philosophy that any situation requires a different type of leadership. Context is essential. While any situation may require a different approach, practice, action, or message, DeServing leaders must not confuse these with fundamental leadership principles. You must provide a consistent character, leadership priorities, and messages.
How you can better serve your team and avoid situational leadership confusion:
Communicate Clearly: In business and in life, change is the only constant. A DeServing leader must remember that their teams do not have all the information you have. It is always best practice to assume your team may not understand the reason for your new focus. Be proactive with supporting details.
Avoid Surprises: While surprises are sometimes fun in personal life, no leader likes them in business. Neither does your team. DeServing leaders do not wait until everything is critical to raise the matter with their team. A "heads up" that a change may be on the way is always an excellent way to serve your team.
Provide Consistent Vision: DeServing leaders must frame the short-term changes within the long-term vision. As was evident in our industry in the last two years, various crises often force leaders to shift focus. However, the long-term objectives should be unwavering or at least not subject to the same regular fluctuations.
Control Emotion: Passion is as good as frustration is terrible. DeServing leaders must not confuse frustration with passion. Control these emotions. You owe it to your team to take the time to calm yourself down from disappointment, anger, or other negative emotions before communicating. Be passionate but not disrespectful. The easiest way is to focus on the future and opportunity, not the past and resentment.
There is no better way to serve your team over the long-term than consistent leadership. The secret to success is constancy of purpose.