Six Steps to Transforming Leadership at Work
Rock sets the scene of workplaces becoming more knowledge-focused and populated by Generation Y individuals who don't see themselves as passively awaiting orders and don't want to be controlled by the traditional push-oriented leader.
Therefore, he argues, effective leaders are taking a more behind-the-scenes, question-centred and pull-oriented approach. In other words, 'quiet leadership'.
6 core skills of quiet leaders
Basing his thinking on discoveries being made by neuroscience (and bearing in mind that this is constantly developing), Rock offers six key competences demonstrated by successful 'quiet' leaders, who:
- Think about thinking - focusing on how people are addressing the issue
- Listen for potential - asking questions that assume the other person has the tools for success
- Speak with intent - being succinct, generous and specific
- Engage in the 'dance of insight' - leading towards the 'aha moment' through seeking permission, positioning the issue in context, asking questions to probe thinking patterns & structures and finally clarifying by summarising their intuitive understanding of the other's thinking
- CREATE new thinking by investigating the Current Reality (CR), then Exploring Alternative (EA) solutions and finally Tapping the Energy (TE) that arises
- Follow up - using the FEELING model (Facts, Emotions, Encouragement, Learning, Implications and New Goals)
Think first, talk later
Rock suggests that a characteristic of the successful 'Quiet Leader' is to think through what others have to say, reflect in depth and then respond. They like to dig deeply into issues and ideas, considering the meaning and subtleties of the situation. This style of leadership exudes a sense of calm, projecting quiet, reassuring confidence and creating an atmosphere where others can think well for themselves.
"We may need to solve problems not by removing the cause but by designing the way forward even if the cause remains in place."Edward de Bono