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.

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.

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.

Caring Enough to Lead

Today’s blog post is inspired by the book, Caring Enough to Lead by Leonard Pellicer. Point blank statement: when you care enough about something – you will step up and lead. When you care enough – you will take the risk, the pain, the uncertainty, and the ownership of the outcome of leading. These are the stumbling blocks to taking steps in our lives to make things a little better for the people and causes that we care deeply about.

Risk is about calculating the odds of success. Unfortunately even the best strategic plans can fall apart.  Pain is the leader’s companion. There will be at least one time when you stand painfully alone with your convictions challenged. Doubts will rise to the surface making it emotionally difficult to take the next step. Evaluation of the outcome of your leadership involves more than measuring how happy people are about what took place. Leadership is about helping people and organizations grow in capacity. Helping a person or organization grow in capacity won’t always make you popular. If fact, you might get a frowny face or a nasty-gram.

Do you care enough to lead?

An Invitation to Lead

Welcome to Leadership Threads: Conversations on Courage, Conviction & Change. This blog is to help ordinary people become extraordinary leaders. I am here to accompany you on your leadership journey. Your family, workplace, church, or community is in need of your leadership!

Too often we place the idea of leadership on a pedestal and think that leading is for those larger than life figures that occupy positions of power and prestige in places like politics, the church, or business. Positional leadership has its place in society and organizations; however leadership cannot be confined to positions. Leadership can take place in any life context and everyone has the potential to increase their leadership skills. Wherever there is a need for action, or change, there is a need for a person to step forward as a leader.

When I talk to people about being a leader I get these typical emotional responses: nervous giggling (what me a leader – who are you trying to kid?), absolute fear (I tried that once, and it almost killed me!), bravado (Yeah-sure-you-betcha I am a leader), and eagerness (I could make a difference if I just had some help). Let’s take a guess at what some of these individuals might need to have in order to make the move toward extraordinary leadership: The nervous giggler may need a slight nudge to take action on an important matter, the person frozen with fear could use someone to watch their back, the bravado leader might need some lessons in humility, and the eager leader a trustworthy companion.

Leaders lead others and they have followers. Well now, that is the scary part! Since leaders lead in different contexts, who they lead and how many they lead will differ. Obviously not everyone would be interested in leading a large scale organizational effort. Some folks will lead families, communities, groups, or even friends. Leaders also led in different ways. I know leaders who are good team builders, strategists, visionaries, and technological gurus. A good leader harnesses their strengths to move forward, and acknowledges their weaknesses by partnering with others to offset their shortcomings.

I invite you to consider your own leadership journey. What emotion does the topic of leadership bring out in you?  Where have you lead without a title/position? Where are you drawn to make a real and lasting difference?

Leaders are unique individuals, but they have some things in common: the courage and conviction to initiate needed change! If you are intrigued by what you are reading, then Leadership Threads is for you.