Here’s top ten tips for organizational leaders who want to create a resilient organization:
- Three judges, professional dancers, and a cast of celebrities strategically work together each week to learn a new routine on the television program, “Dancing with the Stars.” Like the dancers, resilient organizational leaders must also creatively work together with managers, teams and staff while adapting to changing circumstances.
- As the music constantly changes, fully engaged and flexible dancers lift their heels, shift their weight and progress forward. Organizational leaders are also engaged as they manage constant change, transition and loss;
- Dancers must be mindful of each and every each step they take. If they misstep, they rethink their plan. Resilient organizational leaders, like the dancers, have positive thought patterns and an optimistic mindset to succeed in times of adversity;
- Professional dancers must fulfill their responsibility for the celebrity who depends upon them. They anticipate what their celebrity partners are capable of doing while preparing them to dance. Similar to dancers, resilient organizational leaders are accountable for meeting the needs of the future of their organization and anticipating risks before they actually occur;
- With curiosity, playfulness, and humility, football players move from the field to the ballroom floor and discover that they can be graceful and humble. Comparable to dancers, curious and unpretentious organizational leaders see the light side of things while they discover new ways to handle challenges;
- Disciplined teams self-regulate as they attempt to make the cut during choreographed dance routines. In contrast, during difficult times, organizational leaders must also focus on self-regulation, remain in control during tough times or they, too, will not make the cut;
- Dancers choose their career based on their strengths, one of which is agility. Like the agile dancers, who swiftly get back in step when things go wrong, organizational leaders with perseverance, have purpose, are quick to ethically adapt, and positively respond to dilemmas;
- Prudent professional dancers are careful about their choices so that celebrity dancers trust they will not get hurt. While focusing on the best possible outcome, they hopefully believe that if their partner lifts them, they will not fall; and if they do, they are hardy enough to get up and keep on dancing. Likewise, prudent organizational leaders focus on a culture of trust and try not to do things that they may regret.
- Professional dancers continually boost the morale of their celebrity partners by being genuine, valuing the relationship they share, and having social intelligence. Accordingly, resilient organizational leaders understand that teamwork and honesty is key while they understand the feelings and motives of others during tough times; and
- Whether a rumba, salsa, or cha cha, courageous dancers with zest feel alive and enthusiastically focus during challenging routines. Satisfied with their role, they take the steps to accomplish their goal and get one show closer to winning the Mirrorball trophy. By the same token, resilient organizational leaders achieve job satisfaction. They enjoy their role and have the quality of zest, which helps them remain enthusiastic as they face challenges. There is a fit between their job description, their needs and accomplishing their goals as resilient leaders.
All things considered, dancing, stars and spray tans have a lot to do with resilient organizational leadership!
By Barbara Rubel, a contributing blogger for JenningsWire.
