Symbolic Leadership Actions

The Power of Symbolic Leadership Action (Photo by Jeb Kriigel, all rights reserved)

The inaugural train rolled out of Philadelphia and chugged into Washington D.C. carrying our future leaders, President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden and their family members. It was an  skillful display of symbolic leadership action. Symbolic leaders use symbols, traditions, and stories to help people to buy into their vision, get on-board the train to change (just had to say that!), reinterpret past experience, portray shared values and needs, and finally rally followers to act on behalf of the organization’s goals.

Let’s take a quick look at how symbolic leadership unfolds . . . Symbolic leaders are good at placing their vision on a center stage for all to see and experience. Experiencing the vision is important – individuals must become emotionally connected to the bigger picture; be a part of something so large, and so important, that we have to do the vision together or it will fail.

Why do the symbolic leadership actions, such as the inaugural train ride, captivate and motivate people to work toward difficult goals? Bolman and Deal (1997) suggest that symbolism works when it is portrayed this way: “The past is usually a golden one, a time of noble purposes, of great deeds, of heroes and heroines. The present is a time of trouble, challenge, or crisis; a critical moment when we have to make fateful choices. The future is a dream; a vision of hope and greatness, often linked directly to greatness in the past” (p. 316). Symbolic leadership actions are effective when they resonate with the hopes, dreams, and values of the followers – AND the benefits and rewards are perceived as realistically obtainable.

What do you think and feel about these symbolic aspects of the inaugural train ride: it is a vintage train car, the trip path traces Lincoln’s 1861 ride, the route begins in Philadelphia and ends in Washington, D.C., Obama’s train stops to pick up Joe Biden (a regular train commuter), Obama cites from history (Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, the Declaration of Independence), the train stops at significant points of national interest, quick speeches acknowledge the current turbulent times (economy, war), and the new leaders recognize clues to success lie in the lessons of the past.

There is probably more symbolism than that – but I’ll let you research it! Symbolic leadership actions works when the leader is in tune with the followers’ deepest values and most pressing needs. Leaders are most likely to be effective when the symbolic actions they use are sincere, believable,  there is a real possibility that the vision can be fulfilled AND the needs of the followers are both acknowledged and  met.

Bolman, Deal. (1997). Reframing Organizations.

Train Photograph by K. Jeb Kriigel. www.getrealproducts.com  All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Thrive or Survive?

Using Your Strengths!

Have you ever wondered why some leaders succeed and others seem to spend a lot of time struggling? Why is it that some people can thrive in nearly every situation and yet others just struggle to merely survive the day?

If you become an observer of human interactions, you may very well see that leaders who are thriving have found a way to harness their strengths in their setting (whether that is in the home, work, school, or community!). Simply put, a personal strength is a talent – a strong talent. How do you know what your strengths are? One simple way to figure out your strengths is to look at what you do or how you do things. When you are using your strengths you almost always reach the goal you set. You have the ability hit the target dead-on, like an arrow going into the center of a bull’s eye. The motivation and energy are flowing, and you feel happy and successful with what you have accomplished. You might feel tired when you are finished using your strength, but it is a tiredness coming from doing well; and by golly – you would be willing to do it again at another time!

Another more formal way to discover your strengths is to take strengths assessment. I recently took a Strenghtsfinder 2.0 assessment and discovered my top five strengths to be: intellection, focus, learner, significance, and input. For me this means that I am at my best when I can: use my intellect (storehouse of knowledge!), set aside blocks of time to thoroughly complete what I want to do, satisfy my need to learn about new stuff, make a real difference in the world with my efforts, and provide input into developing people or processes. Whew, that is a lot – but not all strengths are used at the same time! I might only use one of those strengths at a time. However, I am at the top of my game when I can use one or more of my strengths as a basis for leadership.

What do you suppose your strengths might be? What would life be like if you could identify your strengths and really thrive – not survive? You have a whole brand new year to move toward a life of living and leading from your strenghts – go for it!

See Rock City

Notice What You Notice!

Vacation travelers driving through the southern states have noticed the words “See Rock City” painted on steep pitched barn roofs for decades. For those of you who don’t know, Rock City is a fairy tale oddity in a scenic location. In my opinion, one trip to Rock City is enough for a life time! Our only trip to Rock City included a free bumper sticker with the See Rock City logo. There was just one rather irritating problem; the bumper sticker was applied to the rear bumper of the car while we were trying to negotiate Fat Man’s Squeeze and evading gnomes! Our children, of course, were delighted with the free souvenir.

Despite my misgivings about See Rock City, many people simply love this bit of historic Americana (in all its creative artistic forms!). When I look at Rock City, I notice an unusual contrast between nature and mythology. Still other folks experience a trip to Rock City as a grand family fairy tale adventure filled with precious moments of togetherness. Yet, the historians among us will be quick to point out the intensely fought civil war battles of the area and the great loss of life. Nature lovers urge us to skip the gimmicks and enjoy the majestic panoramic views that fill them with a sense of peace.

What you see is important. It gives you clues about your personal identity, outlook on life, and even your potential talents. As you travel down life’s highway of adventures, notice what you notice. See with your heart as well as with your eyes, and glean a deeper meaning from what you glimpse. What type of pattern is emerging? What do you feel at the sight? What longing is stirred within you? What is the precious gem of experience that you take away with you?

The Bible says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34  God is sending you a message and he wants you to notice it. Great leaders accept God’s personal message to them and use it as part of their leadership vision.

Merry Christmas!

Erna

Bona Fide?

Bona Fide Leadership

Bona fide means something is the genuine thing, not the off-brand item offered on sale.  An off-brand product is really a marketing spin off on a popular high-end good that is now being offered to folks at a discount price. In these rough and tumble economic times, we need to spend cautiously. Some times off-brand goods are okay. Who really cares if sandwich bags and toilet paper comes from the dollar store? After all, those items are only used one time and thrown away! It is important to make distinctions when bona fide is necessary. Leadership is one of those places.

Are you a bona fide leader? Being a bona fide leader is critical because leadership requires sustained action, not one time use. A bona fide leader finds their leadership motivation inside their personal life story – NOT their position or title. The wonderful and tragic things in life are the seedbeds of new visionary plans. What life event(s) changed the way you see life? That is where your leadership vision is birthed. Bona fide leaders’ values come from life lessons – NOT the latest best selling book. What guiding life principles lie at the heart of all your actions?

Only bona fide leaders have the drive and determination to make the world a better place to live in. Be the genuine thing – the world is crying for your leadership.

Avatar Search

Early Morning Blogging!

Today I went on an avatar search. I was looking for the perfect screen shot to display to the world who I was! Immediately I encountered a problem: What part of my personality should I show to the world? Should my avatar represent what I feel about life? Maybe I should use a picture that shows how I think about things? And then, what if people don’t like my avatar! Expectations, expectations, expectations…some days it seems that we are simply living our life to meet other people’s expectations of who/what we should be!

Well enough of that… I have been working at the computer since 5:30 am. My hair isn’t combed, I’m in a bathrobe, drinking my second cup of coffee, skyping my sister about last nights events (identity theft!).  I definitely don’t look like a person with any professional competence!

The conclusion to the matter: Who I am is what you get. Living is not living if you fake it, to make it. Who I am is what I have to give. Nothing more, nothing less will do.

Army Leading!

Ordinary people, Extraordinary leadership from Fort Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq. When only the best will do: GO ARMY! Leading 24/7

To: Fort Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq, From: Douglasville, Georgia THANKS YOU’ALL

Click on this link to see Fox News coverage of Thanksgiving in Iraq. Stephen is the tall, smiling soldier who is standing in the back row.

Army Leading: Happy Thanksgiving from Stephen in Iraq.

Yes, You Can Can

Courage, conviction, and change – at any age! This movie will change how you view your limitations, and obstacles. A group of senior citizens come together to learn and perform Rock and Roll songs. They overcome health problems, memory loss, and the death of some of their chorus members. Their dress rehearsal was held in a jail. Prisoners wept and rejoiced at the sight and sounds of the Young at Heart Chorus. They hold fast to the notion that Yes, You Can Can is more than a political mantra – it is a philosophy on how to live life!

Who Are You?

Everyday the headlines scream economic trouble ahead. Even the most financially stable amongst us is startled. The stock market has become a yo-yo on a string. First the gas prices shot through the roof, now they are sliding down the basement stairs. “Get a job, any job, anywhere” has become the mantra in the neighborhood. “By jolly, if you have a job, keep it” – is the word on the street.

We are used to defining our personal success by the job title that we have. When we meet someone new, the question is invariably asked, “What do you do?” I am fill-in-the-blank job title. At an early age children are asked, “What you want to be when you grow up?” We are conditioned from birth to gauge personal success on a job position and whatever societal prestige we can gain from it. Our identity becomes intertwined with our job.

In times like these, a job-imbedded identity just won’t serve us well. In fact, it becomes a prison limiting our possibilities and actions. The real question to be asked is, “Who are you?” The answer to this question requires enlarging our sense of self, and defines personal success beyond the job title that we hold (or used to hold). The question allows for multiple facets of our personality, skills, and relationships to shine out. Who we are is way bigger than what we do! We instantly go from limitations to endless possibilities. When we redefine our personal success beyond our job position/title we are better able to describe our true identity with all of it nuances. What gives us joy, and what motivates us to act, serve, and lead become clearer. A new or renewed sense of purpose arises when we acknowledge to ourselves and others that who we are, is more – way more – than our job description and paycheck.

Triabetes: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Leadership

I2 Athletes with Type 1 Diabetes Competed in the Iron Man Triathlon in Wisconsin. Each of them are are required to have insulin in order to live. These are ordinary people whose conviction of purpose, and courage in the face of an enormous challenge are causing rippling affect of positive and significant change across the landscape of diabetes management.

Congratulations Triabetes Athletes on a race well done!

Hill Blocks View

Life has a funny way of happening. The moment we make a decision to obtain a goal, obstacles begin to appear in our path.

Here is a simple illustration of what I mean. You say to yourself… when Monday comes I will eat better. You carefully eat breakfast (granola, skim milk, and a banana) and congratulate yourself on your steadfastness. Then lo and behold, when you arrive at work the boss has brought Dunkin Donuts in for the morning meeting! To make matters worse, you declared to your co-workers last Friday that these 10 pounds are coming off before the new year. All eyes turn toward you now- what will you do about this obstacle in your path toward healthy eating?

Every goal that we attempt to reach will result in a negotiation of obstacles in our path. Winging it or flying by the seat of our pants works some of the time, but of course not all of the time. To negotiate significant  obstacles requires a thoughtful approach.

Here is a simple and easy plan to use to when faced with an obstacle:

1. Acknowledge the reality to yourself and others (oh boy, that pride thing)
2. Acknowledge the emotion (I feel embarrassed, confident, worried, happy or sad…)
3. Take action and explain why (length of explanation depends upon impact of obstacle)
4. Prepare for a similar obstacle that might appear later (what comes around – comes around again!)
5. Seek help from others, collaborate to reach your goal (life is not a solo journey)

Leadership lesson: Some of you may be thinking – I wouldn’t dare state the reality of this to others, and no way would I say how I really feel about this. Leaders who are authentic about what is happening are more likely to be viewed as ethical leaders and gain the support of others to complete a goal.