Permission to Kill in Leadership

Permission to Kill in Leadership – article summary

The beginning and end of leadership is responsibility—both for the leader and for the organizational culture as a whole. In this article, I write that leadership gives permission to eliminate three phenomena that undermine performance and accountability:

The Raindrop Attitude – where no single drop feels responsible for a flood; “I’m not responsible because no one will notice anyway.”
Solution: Clear structures, defined goals, and the willingness to let go of those unwilling to contribute.

MOKK – “My-OK” Attitude – the trap of excessive individualism, where everyone pursues their own small goal, but the whole suffers.
Solution: Constantly share the bigger picture and have the courage to address those responsible to learn and grow.

MULL – Empty Talk and Action Culture – meetings and processes that create no value.
Solution: Leaders must foster a work culture focused on decisions and concrete steps, and develop emotional intelligence to ensure discussions are honest and productive.

Removing these three destructive patterns creates an organization where people take responsibility, see their contribution in the bigger picture, and feel pride in achievements.

Full article published in Director, December 2012. Read the full article here.