September – 2017 Monthly Leadership Session – That Which Unites Us
September – 2017 Monthly Leadership Session – That Which Unites Us
In his 1952 remarks after losing the Presidential election to Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adlai Stevenson gave what became known as the “granddaddy of all concession speeches.” He said, “That which unites us as American citizens is far greater than that which divides us as political parties.” Over 60 years later that quote still stands as a powerful example of uniting leadership in face of a bitterly divided nation. Sounds a lot like today. What can we learn about the power of unity and the leaders that promote it? What does it take to have uniting leadership? Let’s talk about it.
3 Highlights From This Episode
1. Find Shared Values
A leader must Identify the shared values among the team. We must mine out and celebrate what we have in common rather than highlight our differences. Be willing to use the power of your vision to describe a preferred future that everyone can strive towards, together. A team is not built on proximity but rather a solid foundation of shared values.
Does your team know what they stand for?
Start by building shared values.
2. Find Shared Goals
After establishing the shared values of a team the unifying leader points them to a shared goal. Once unified in heart effective teams must become unified in purpose. The most critical question a unifying leader can ask is, “Based on what we believe, what is most important to us, right now?”
This will identify the shared goal for the team. The right now of this question means you will get different answers depending on when you ask it. What unifies your team today must be constantly refined and focused.
Does your team know what they’re called to do?
Start by focusing on a shared goal.
3. Achieve Your Goals Together
When your shared values have identified your central goal, the unifying leader ensures that it’s achieved together. Even the best teams can fall into the trap of aiming at the same target but going at it alone. On a team, there is no such thing as individual success but group failure. In 51 Super Bowls and 67 NBA Finals only one person, per sport, has ever been awarded MVP from the losing team. If the team is to truly win, then we all must win. A unifying leader provides clarity on the win and everyone’s role in it.
Is your team ready to support one another till the job is done?
Start by achieving your goals together.
Avery
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