The Measured Connector

There was a time when organisations tended to be hierarchical, often led in a command and control fashion and had few dealings with other organisations unless they were suppliers or direct customers.

Today, we have a complex world in which change is endemic, organisations’ boundaries are permeable (with outsourcing, strategic partnerships, multi-agency working, etc.) and there are challenges which one sole leader (the heroic leader) cannot possibly hope to deal with.

In today’s world where outcomes will often be achieved by a number of different sections, departments or, indeed, organisations and agencies, Measured Connectors will step into their leadership role by demonstrating authoritative (not authoritarian) leadership and systems thinking. A good example of a Measured Connector is Tim Smit  who transformed a derelict Cornish quarry into the Eden Project, which has 100,000 plants from around the world and includes the world’s largest greenhouse. He managed to connect people from all around the world and the local community, from the private, public and third sector, from individuals through to governments, resulting in one of the UK’s top tourist attractions.

The Measured Connector focuses on a sense of purpose and connectivity across the organisation to help change to emerge. Take a look at this short video describing the Measured Connector.

The Measured Connector

Measured Connectors are the sort of leaders who exude confidence, as they walk through the turbulence of change as if they were in that calm centre in the eye of the hurricane. They have a clear set of principles and a relaxed countenance. They do not expect to lead from the front, but they do expect to lead by example. They have the confidence and clarity to face difficult and complex challenges and are more likely to articulate a set of underlying principles and a general direction of movement. They know their agenda well and seek to understand other people’s agendas. They wish to align other people’s agendas with the overarching agenda. They do not believe that it is their responsibility to do all the work themselves – but are adept at getting disparate people and different stakeholders together to deal with important issues. By linking people and their agendas and enabling them to get on with tasks, they are able to monitor progress with an inbuilt helicopter vision.

 

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The Visionary Motivator

Of the five change leadership roles the Visionary Motivator is perhaps the one which many people intuitively see as a classical leadership role.

The person who sets out the vision for the group, the organisation or the community, and is able to articulate the end destination in a compelling and convincing way.

Not only do they have the vision they can engage people in conversations around the vision and achieve buy in as a result.

In some ways the Visionary Motivator is a salesperson – able to connect with your desires and needs and address any objections in a positive and reframing way. They see the world in an optimistic way – any problems are opportunities, and setbacks, mere hurdles to overcome. If the Thoughtful Architect can design the grand strategy and win your head over, the Visionary Motivator will surely win your heart.

Watch this short video to get a sense of how the Visionary Motivator goes about their business.

But as with all of the five roles there is a shadow side. For the Visionary Motivator it is the possibility of everything descending into spin, or an inability to understand some of the pain that people might be going through on the change journey.

The Visionary Motivator

How am I standing? – On the front foot, standing tall, chest out, head high, looking at people

What am I thinking? – Envisaging the vision, connecting with the vision, asking oneself ‘how can I bring people on board?’

What am I feeling? – Positive, inspired, confident, motivated, solution-focused

What am I saying? – Let’s work together towards a brighter future

What’s my goal? – Getting motivated people moving towards the vision

For more information contact me, read our book, or take the online five roles leadership questionnaire and receive your own profile and development report.

 

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