Third Quarter 2014- Issue 17
Note from Coach Mario- At the End of the Day- “Perfect Control of Your Leadership”
I recently came across a story in the book, “Seven Days in Utopia” by David L. Cook, Ph D, that was describing the perfect casting of a bass fly-line. The individual doing the casting from the bass boat had perfect control; one that exhibited balance, rhythm and patience. Much can be said about this sequence in discussing control whether in other areas such as playing a round of golf or in fulfilling ones leadership responsibilities. In thinking and applying this sequence, balance, rhythm and patience, to my three leadership dimension perspective, I thought how much it applied, just as it would in casting a bass fly-line or hitting a golf shot. The three leadership dimensions and their respective sequence component are:
Leadership Balance (Balance)
Leadership Competencies (Rhythm)
Leadership Culture (Patience)
When one has effective Leadership Balance, one is able to handle the rocking of the bass boat without falling in the water as one navigates the waters to make the catch, or has a well distributed stance in addressing the golf ball before beginning the swing. The leader’s balance is being able to handle thoughts, feelings (emotions) and behaviors in a way that enhance personal/business relationships, manage stress by not getting too high or too low in challenging situations, being strategic or tactical as the environment requires or dealing with conflict in a constructive instead of a destructive manner. The Leader is in Balance.
When one has effective Leadership Competencies, one is able to leverage their balance in addressing and leading the organization much like a golfer who has good balance addresses the golf ball, takes the backswing, downswing and follow-through. The balance and swing competencies create a natural (not hurried), flow-like rhythm feeling that connects with the sweet spot when the club face and golf ball meet. Similarly, the leader can achieve a level where they can be in a state of flow in leading their organizations. When vision, strong team and a motivating and developing environment is coupled with commitment and accountability, a certain rhythm is generated. This rhythmic leadership is similar to what Mihaly Csikszentmihaly, in his book, “Flow”, calls the flow experience because much like flow it is how one feels when they are in top form. The leadership competencies are practiced with the attention that is freely invested (natural) in achieving goals established because in this state there is no disorder to straighten out, no threat for one to defend against. The Leadership Competencies are engaged with a certain Rhythm.
Sustaining a favorable Leadership Culture is not an overnight accomplishment. It can take years to build, nurture and cultivate into a lasting legacy. It takes a philosophy rooted in patience that instead of managing for the quarter is based on managing for the “quarter-century” with all key stakeholders in mind. Values, reputation and ethics are at the heart of this long term culture and like trust takes time to build. Similarly, long hours of practice are required to become an expert bass fisherman or a professional golfer. Much like waiting for the right time to pull the line and catch a bass or not rushing the swing in hitting a golf ball, sustaining a favorable Leadership Culture requires Patience.
Whether bass fishing with a fly-line, addressing a golf ball or leading an organization, being in perfect control depends on how effective you are in applying the balance, rhythm and patience sequence.
— Mario Flores
Mario Flores. All Rights Reserved. No part of these materials may be reproduced in any form without written permission.
