NSHMBA - Leadership is a Marathon_20Nov2013_vFINAL

LEADERSHIP IS A MARATHON Jaison Williams – Talent Leadership & Organisation Development, GSK

NSHMBAA Philadelphia End of Year Event, 2013

I’m a Marathon Maniac

As a leader, you’re always in training and the race

is most definitely a marathon, not a sprint

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2013 Chicago

Marathon

2011 Boston

Marathon

Preparation

The Start

Proper Perspective

Hitting the Wall

Making it to the Finish

Line

Five Principles for Leadership &

Running a Marathon

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5 Principles credited to Gary

Runn at The Leadership Crossing,

http://GaryRunn.com

Preparation for Leadership

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Preparation is everything in desiring to complete a marathon

– and to become a leader

Starting Your Leadership Marathon

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It Really Isn’t About How You Start But

About How You Finish

You Can Get Out Too Fast (aka, ‘Stay True to Your Training’)

The goal is not to burn out early. You want to make it to the end

You Can Forget To Replenish Your Resources

(aka, ‘Sharpen Your Saw’)

You can’t out lead your resources. You have to stay fresh in your learning and

character growth. You have to anticipate your needs and not cut corners

Look for sources for inspiration and motivation (i.e., Runners World, The 21

Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, etc.)

You Can Pace Off The Wrong Person (aka, ‘Stick to Your Plan’)

Leaders were not meant to go it alone (i.e., Marathon Pace Makers)

Leaders who are just getting started need to pace well and pick the right

coaches and role models

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Proper Perspective

Think of your leadership in different terms: the beginning, middle and end

Leaders need to be able to break down their task or objectives into smaller, right sized proportions

The key here is not to get sidetracked by unimportant distractions – keep your eye on the goal!

Measure progress along the way 7

Hitting the (Leadership) Wall

Hitting the wall in leading will usually come about when you have been at the role or the project for awhile. A certain amount of leading fatigue has already set in. And then an unexpected barrier arises

Instead, build your leadership responsibility over time

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Best Practices for your Leadership

Marathon

Practice 1: Challenging the process

Leaders seek challenge and take risks. Whether the challenge is a product innovation or a reorganization, a

leader’s role often involves recognizing the need for change and supporting and directing innovation.

Practice 2: Inspiring a shared vision

Successful leaders have vision – a desire to change, create, and make things happen. Leaders must get others

to buy into the vision and engage followers to help make their vision a reality.

Practice 3: Enabling others to act

Exemplary leaders enlist the support of others and empower them to do good work. They garner the

resources, human and otherwise, and encourage collaboration.

Practice 4: Modeling the way

Leaders must lead by example if they want an enthusiastic following, demonstrating in their behavior the

organizational and management values they believe are important. Be humble, listen well and exhibit curiosity.

Practice 5: Encouraging the heart

Leaders must encourage the heart of their followers to carry on despite adversity and celebrate successes

whether they be small accomplishments or significant milestones. 9

Making it to the Finish Line

Few people want to follow a leader that has no finish line. They also don’t want to follow a leader who doesn’t take them on a worthwhile journey

To bring something to completion in leading is to:

purposefully see a finish line

acknowledge the contribution of others

celebrate

learn, and to plan again from a greater sense of experience and maturity 10

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Leadership Commitments and Call-Outs What does “leadership success” look like for

you?

What commitments will you make to be a

stronger individual leader?

Share with us what you will take away from today’s discussion.

What will you do differently to lead tomorrow morning? 11