Visible leadership is great – can we have some please?

I hear a lot of talk about the importance of visible leadership, I expect you do too. My experience shows me that’s about as far as it goes. I don’t see much of it. Talk visible, be invisible. How might we address this? Here’s a short note you can copy, personalise and send to a senior leader in your organisation. I’m trying it out on a few people, and have had some positive reactions and some silence so far, will let you know what more happens when it does. It would be great if you use this and share any feedback with us.

Visible Leadership is Great! Can we have some please?

Survival and growth will come from positive mindful, awareness connecting people to each other and to the good things we can do together. Barack Obama conveys the idea of positive realism in a very tough environment.

It requires great leading to accept the problems we face, to stay positive and to keep engaging others. It demands sincere interest in what is happening to those around you and outside your circle. It means asking your colleagues good questions and listening respectfully to their answers and showing them you heard. It means that you must choose to notice the positive achievements and possibilities in every situation as well as the difficulties. It means that we must remember the real social value that the firms we work for bring to people and we must be grateful that we have the strength and capability to achieve greatness again.

Most of all it means repeated, positive action. It means you and me, and others who care, now, together. It would be fantastic to see you around.

Have a great day.

Author: Doug Shaw

Artist and Consultant. Embracing uncertainty, sketching myself into existence. Helping people do things differently, through an artistic lens.

9 thoughts on “Visible leadership is great – can we have some please?”

  1. What astonishes me is the ‘hullaballoo’ recently when various senior managers were visiting the the ‘front-line’ customer -facing troops. This was seen as eminently newsworthy by BT Today, etc.

    It should be the other way round. If a senior manager is never out checking what ‘wheels are squeaking’ at the customer interface, then they don’t deserve to be in a responsible position in this company.

  2. snoopdougydoug?! You’re killin me here!

    It really IS too simple. Leaders lead, and to lead you need to be in front of the troops. Managers wade through spreadsheets until they need bifocals and a stiff drink.

    Your note “to whomever” is interesting, D. I’m afraid it would be over the heads of those who don’t get it already. And for those who already get it but who receive the note because they aren’t doing it, it would be a horrible affront to their brilliant leadership…

    1. Nicely put Craig! OK the note needs to be sent selectively. I will keep putting the note in front of those who don’t get it in the hope that one day, one of ’em will ask one of his/her peers who does get it. Then we can get on with getting it…together.

  3. There was a CEO whom I had the pleasure in working for who every Friday afternoon – all of it – he spent going around the floors just talking to people about anything and everything. He was visible, he was approachable, he did what he promised and people would bend over backwwards for him. There was another CEO who was utterly invisible despite his “reputation” as a people person.

    The first CEO had a simple, single statement that he insisted his Senior Managers lived by and I am proud to say that (1) I still remember it and (2) I still try to live it. That statement is “remember that you cast a shadow as a leader and that shadow touches and affects others – make sure that they are proud to be in your shadow”

    Cast a good shadow people …………..

    1. I love Mr(s) Friday! How cool is that. And so very very achievable too. Clearly someone who really cares about the people with whom they work. My workplace is morgue like most Fridays. I imagine if people thought they may be able to engage with an engaging CEO they might make an effort to check in.

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