Part One: Welcome to The ThirdWay
Leadership Matters
In the rapidly shifting and highly competitive landscape of the 21st Century,
leadership has a significant impact on organizational outcomes across the board;
from operational efficiency and customer service,
to employee recruitment, retention and engagement;
from creativity and innovation, to productivity and profitability.
Leadership is a hot topic. With the flood of information available, how do you begin to cut through the clutter?
In this multi-part series we will demystify the art and science of leadership and illustrate what effective leadership looks like in the new millennium: what we call ThirdWay Leadership.
And we will provide a set of tools and techniques you can apply immediately that will support you and your organization on the road to ThirdWay Leadership.
Today, we introduce the ThirdWay Leadership Model. In upcoming installments we will take a deeper dive into the specific mindsets and skillsets characteristic of ThirdWay Leaders.
Defining Leadership
We define leadership as:
A process of social influence that catalyzes the energy and imagination of others, and maximizes their efforts towards the achievement of a meaningful goal.
What are the Hallmarks of ThirdWay Leaders?
- ThirdWay Leaders take ownership of their piece of the puzzle.
- They recognize people are the greatest asset in any organization, and they commit to developing themselves and those around them.
- They understand every organization exists to achieve results, and they keep their eyes on the prize.
- They realize the nature of work is shifting, the time we spend collaborating is on the rise, and mastering the art of teaming is essential.
- They know that in today’s fast-paced environment, whether incremental or monumental, change is the only constant. They learn to navigate it gracefully.
ThirdWay Leadership may or may not be tied to a formal position of authority. We see it in the CEO who envisions a new direction and inspires people to get on board and turn the ship; and we see it in the line worker who recognizes a need for better departmental communication, and steps up to make it happen.
ThirdWay Leadership isn’t about command and control, wielding power or demanding compliance through fear. It is not, “Do this, or else,” or “You’re not being paid to think!” ThirdWay Leaders recognize the inherent value in each member of the organization; they walk their talk, and they build followership with honesty, respect and trust.
The ThirdWay Model of Leadership©
We have synthesized key concepts from the study of leadership theory, organizational development, entrepreneurship, psychology, neuroscience, coaching and creativity, along with direct, hands-on experience, to create a framework for understanding and mastering the mindset and skillset of ThirdWay Leadership.
A note to remember:
Mastering leadership is a journey. No one does it all perfectly. As you explore the model, remember to play to your strengths, and bring a healthy dose of humor, humility and self-compassion as you identify areas you want or need to grow.
OVERVIEW OF THE MODEL
The Four Quadrants
The mindset and skill sets of ThirdWay Leaders are organized into four quadrants which represent areas of competency.
FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIPS: Capacity to Engage
The first quadrant looks at our ability to build effective working relationships and to lead with integrity.
Primary Competency: Practice social and emotional intelligence
FOCUS ON RESULTS: Capacity to be Effective
Quadrant 2 addresses our ability to focus on the outcomes and objectives that will move the organization forward, and our ability to create an environment that allows people to do their best work every day.
Primary Competencies: Begin with the end in mind; Set the stage for success
FOCUS ON COLLABORATION: Capacity to be Inclusive
Quadrant 3 examines our ability to work collaboratively, to build strong teams, and to create a culture that supports the full participation of a diverse community.
Primary Competency: Build a foundation of trust
ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET: Capacity to be Creative
The fourth quadrant explores our willingness to take ownership for all aspects of an enterprise, to embrace creativity and innovation, and to take calculated risks.
Primary Competencies: Practice accountability; Apply creative methodologies
The Two Axes
In addition to the four quadrants, the ThirdWay Leadership model is organized along two axes.
THE RELATIONSHIPS TO RESULTS AXIS
The two left quadrants (focus on relationships and focus on collaboration) address the relationship side of the leadership equation; the two right quadrants (focus on results and entrepreneurial mindset) look at how we get things done and move the organization forward.
THE STABILITY TO CREATIVITY AXIS
The top two quadrants are oriented around competencies that support stability in an organization; the bottom two are oriented around a commitment to creativity and change.
Bringing it All Together
With all the component pieces in place, the ThirdWay Model of Leadership creates a simple, user-friendly approach to understanding and mastering leadership.
- Focus on Relationships (Relationships – Stable)
Our ability to build strong relationships creates a stable environment for the work of the organization. - Focus on Results (Results – Stable)
Our ability to generate positive results provides the consistent performance required to support growth. - Focus on Collaboration (Relationships – Creative)
Our ability to collaborate takes our relationship skills and moves them into a creative realm. - Entrepreneurial Mindset (Results – Creative)
Our entrepreneurial mindset sets us up to see ourselves provides the spark that will drive innovation and create a true competitive advantage.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will dive into the mindset and skill sets of relationship mastery!
In the meantime, reach out to us to talk to you about how you can bring the ThirdWay model into your organization and begin the journey towards leadership excellence!