Veni, Vidi, Vici. “I came, I saw, I conquered”, Julius Caesar’s famous words distill organic leadership to its most basic form.
Witnessing organic leaders develop in a team when confronted with change or conflict is the sign of a high performing team.
Organic leadership is when an individual decides to own a specific change or challenge without through completion being directed to.
The idea of organic leadership does not map directly to initiative. Initiative is required for each state but is only a portion of the entire process.
The process to organic leadership is quite simple but each state transition is increasingly more difficult.
Recognition: All change starts with recognition of the need for change. Change could result from a problem. Unfortunately most individuals stop at this step because of laziness, lack of vision, or the reaction was simply of building up a defense. This step cannot be taught but may evolve through experience.
Ownership: By becoming the owner of the change, the individual creates an accountability and therefore additional work. Ownership implies specific rights, accountabilities and responsibilities. Cultures where accountabilities are not enforced will also prevent some individuals from moving on. Ownership must be publically communicated. Self identifying owners will not create the necessary accountability. This is why many “self-help” tapes encourage individuals to share their goals with others. Individuals who are poor at following through will falter here.
Engagement: Ownership has been established. Accountabilities have been created. Engagement is following through on the established parameters of ownership. It is the process of creating a solution to address the change or conflict that is looming. Note this is the first time that a deep analysis is likely to occur in identifying the root cause. The results of the Engagement step will be an action plan.
Influence: The implementation of the action plan from the Engagement step requires peer level influence. One of the rights created by the Ownership is an implied authority. This is the execution step. Intent without action is worthless.
Organic Leadership: A successful influence step has resulted in an Organic Leader. Fortunately this honorific isn’t permanent. However the process becomes easier the more often it is practiced. Organic leadership is a process available for each conflict or change facing a team. The result is an overall improvement in the team quality and effectiveness.
In the entire Organic Leadership process there isn’t a single place that says “Wait for Management to make a decision.”
The onus is entirely on the individual.
Veni, Vidi, Vici.
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