I read my colleagues Duncan Brodie’s blog post* today entitled “5 Essential Qualities of Brilliant Team Leaders”.  I encourage you to read the full post yourself.  While I concur with everything he is says, I saw a random juxtaposition on each one.  An eclectic view you might say – two random objects moving in parallel.  This is a  technique intended to stimulate creativity.

Quality 1: An effective listener – Eclectic Skill?  Stop talking

If you talk only 40% of the time, you will be considered a good listener.  If you are fortunate enough to be a quiet person – you will probably been viewed as a good listener as well.  That isn’t the case with many of us.  We, (and I don’t mean just the Royal “We” here) like to hear the sound of our own voices.  Most of us feel good if we occupy 60% of the conversation. That 20% is a big leap if both parties are trying to speak 60% of the time.  It becomes a discrepancy of 40%.  The first step in being an effective listener is to stop talking.

Quality 2: Treating everyone fairly – Eclectic Skill? Celebrate diversity

I know the term “fair” but I am not really sure how to apply it.  It means suitable, legitimate and equitable. My parents always did everything between my brother and I, equitably.  It almost bordered on being treated “the same” which is quite different.  A less favourable definition is: To a reasonable degree.  In my early, very early days, I remember being taught that manager should be firm, fair, and friendly – in that order.   When all else fails, this has a lot of common sense.  In our efforts to be fair, we may forget the each person brings a different set of experiences and history to the table.  Cultural differences create there own opportunities and challenges.  I am not sure that when we come from our own perspective that it is possible for use to really know what is or is not fair.  This always brings me back to the same key skill I mention in so many of my other posts: curiosity.  Only by being curious can be begin to show respect to others.

Quality 3: Providing clear direction – Eclectic Skill? Creating a shared vision

A clear direction won’t get you far if people haven’t signed on. Direction also assumes that you know where you are heading.  The first step to clear expectations is to engage your team in creating the future where they can see themselves playing an important role.  Ask them first their ideas before assuming you know the answers.

Quality 4: Making decisions – Eclectic Skill? Hold others accountable for their decisions.

There will be times when consensus and participation may not be appropriate or possible and you will have to make the hard choices.  And yes, you may or may not have buy-in.  However, you will find the team being more cohesive if you ask the members what decisions that they have made and then follow-up with due dates. This makes the overall goals a shared responsibility.

Quality 5: A genuine interest in others – Eclectic Skill? Putting others first

I completely agree but would like to go one step further.  When we show an interest and commitment in the interest, goals and careers of our team members we are ensuring that each link in the chain is as strong as the other. Putting the other person first may sound altruistic but it is the only way to create sustainablity – whether in a team, a family, a community, a country or globally.

I always enjoy reading Duncan’s blog posts.  They are short, pithy and sensible.  Three things that I am not always good at doing. Which reminds me to add him to my blog roll at the right!  (You see?  I digress in my writing almost as badly as I do in my talking.)

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