Emotional Intelligence: Leadership Assertiveness and the Importance of the Vision!
Written by Renée Safrata - renee@reneevations.com, June 28th, 2009
Sorry about the volume of this video – some of it was shot in studio and some outside; audio levels vary.
In April, I participated in Habitat for Humanity’s Toronto Women’s Build. I was in a group of 60 business leaders gathering to give back, to have a fun day and to somehow swing a hammer to build one of sixteen new homes for families in need.
As eager business women with type A personalities, we were all juiced and ready to jump in!
Habitat for Humanity gave us the overall vision of the day. Our project manager then started us with some tactical direction – it excited all of us for a short period of time. Then we all became very ineffective. Our participation slowed and motivation waned.
A fellow entrepreneur, Joan, saved the day with her high level of Emotional Intelligence:
- Self Awareness in her ineffectiveness,
- Self Management in her ability to manage her frustration and,
- Her courage to act with Leadership Assertiveness; simply requesting that the project manager share the tasks vision.
Watch this video – a great case study for team effectiveness. Consider the following:
- Describe the project/task vision. All of us need to understand where we are going so that we can get there.
- Provide direction then support. Provide detailed direction to the newbies on your team (like us — highly motivated but lacking in task specific competence in how to build a house). Provide support when you recognize effectiveness is declining.
- Encourage your team members to uplead. Joan exercised her leadership assertiveness in asking our project manager to explain the vision of the task – this is ‘upleading’,
- As a leader, respond to the upleading immediately. If a member of your team behaves with a positive uplead – grab it and act immediately. Our project manager did just that! She led us to the sample home and showed us the needed end result.
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Comments: 3 Responses so far
Renee, this is great. I love your in the moment reporting. So often we hear leadership tips in the abstract, far removed from real life, sitting in some meeting room. You bring it to life and make it practical and easy. It doesn’t take much to be a good leader but it does take some very specific direction. Thanks for your clarity and insight!
Renée Safrata July 1st, 2009
Hi Pam.
Thanx for your comment – feedback really helps in this blogging world!
Renée
Hey,
great blog.
will give it a shot & pass on your info.
jim
July 1st, 2009