How You and Your Team Get Unstuck to Get Results
The key argument of this book is that most leaders who fail today do so because they cling to what the author calls 'unilateral control'. By this he means that the leader makes the decisions and others obey. This mindset encodes various assumptions, such as:
- I understand the situation; those who disagree with me don't
- You must win, don't lose; don't make mistakes
- Be rational - there is no place for feelings, and certainly not for negative ones
Schwarz contrasts this with what he calls a 'mutual learning approach'. Here, the leader and team operate from a more productive set of values and assumptions. With such a mindset, a common understanding is achieved that transforms decision making to produce better performance, stronger relationships and greater motivation and satisfaction.
Schwarz says that the key difference that makes this approach successful is to be found in the inherent assumptions and the core values of transparency, control, informed choice, accountability and compassion. Associated assumptions include:
- Differences are opportunities for learning
- We all see things that others don't
- I have information and so do others
- Asking questions helps us all to understand more clearly
- It's important for us all to keep testing our assumptions and inferences
- Being asked to explain things helps us all get a better grasp of the issue
- We are all accountable to each other for results
- Change your mindset, change your results
Schwarz emphasises that smart leaders need to focus both on developing both their own mindset and that of their team, ensuring that there is a continuous process of building on mutual learning and trust. You can't just change behaviours; you have to change the mindset that systemically drives behaviour - individually and collectively.
"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."John F. Kennedy