April 15th was tax day for most, but for women leaders in construction, architecture and engineering, it was day 1 of Groundbreaking Women in Construction, a conference sponsored by the Women Builders Council and McGraw Hill. I had the pleasure of leading the first event of the day, a workshop on Visionary Leaders, the New Champions in Business. Here’s what I did and what I learned.
My premise was simple: 1. Visionary leaders, the New Leader in business, will be the most successful executives in the next decade. 2. There are major differences in the way these new leaders operate to create their unique approach. 3. Once leaders embrace the hallmarks of this new paradigm, they have a clear vision of success and a way to get there. 4. As soon as we begin to shift our mindset and expose our organizations to the hallmarks of the new leader, we go beyond hierarchy and power to unleash the real potential of our businesses, colleagues, and leaders.
My Observations
Women are taking the lead in Construction, which is great for business because greater gender diversity will inspire more innovation and growth. It was exhilarating to see their passion for the both technical and leadership aspects of design and construction.
Women are bringing new capabilities and perspectives to the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and environmental services. As in other industries, I predict that we’ll see more women moving into the leadership ranks of their companies, influencing the performance and dynamic of these businesses - and more women business owners.
Great leadership for the next decade was an inspiring topic for this group with huge implications for their professional impact and aspirations. They are eager to contribute to an industry that is changing dramatically at an unprecedented rate.
To start, I asked a basic question, which every leader needs to ask herself: What do you want to accomplish as a leader in the next year or two? We could have devoted an entire workshop to this single question or variations such as: What will make the greatest impact on the success of your firm, your career – or, where do you see the greatest opportunities to innovate and do business differently? In just a short time, many of the leaders began to identify ideas that could potentially transform their organization’s performance and results.
New Vision of Leadership
As early as 2002, I launched a major initiative to define leadership for the future, and do it in a way that would be relevant in driving change and developing leaders. I wanted to define the leader who builds sustainable growth, respected companies, productive cultures and inspired careers. Once I began my interviews of leaders known for building, transforming, or reinventing businesses, it became really clear that there is a new leader with a whole new way of leading. It was only with time and experience in using this approach with many leaders that I could measure the real value of this mindset.
Finding striking patterns in the approach of visionary leaders who achieve extraordinary results, I synthesized the mindset and behaviors of these exceptional executives into four hallmarks. Hallmarks are the values that drive the new leaders and produce extraordinary results. In my session at the Groundbreaking Women conference, I focused on the first two, because they are the most important in creating substantial changes in growth and performance.
The first, Steadfast Passion, describes the mindset and actions of the leader as a visionary and change agent. These leaders have more than a vision – Steadfast passion permeates everything they do. It becomes the focus of the way they think, work and behave.
The second, Inclusive Culture, defines how the leader includes, engages and empowers a vast network of relationships inside her organization and externally to achieve superior results. Leaders with an inclusive culture mindset get to better, more creative outcomes faster and are able to build leaders throughout their organization.
A Call to Action for the New Champions in Business
Dare. Be Different. Be In-Demand: This is the challenge of the visionary leader. If you are going to do something, make sure that it is different. Think big, bold and audacious. As you shape an agenda for change, ask yourself how will this program, product or solution be different? Will our consumers like it as much as we do?
Adopt an Inclusive Culture Mindset: Leaders with an inclusive mindset value the contributions and talents of others. They also value differences. There is no feeling of superiority or elitism. As a leader, I’m no better than you. My experience can be different from yours and I could have a perspective that helps you to excel. Our relationship is about what we can do together.
Women need to learn about the Inclusive Culture, especially women in environments that are hierarchical and more rigid. Visionary leaders engage a broad range of colleagues and advisors to inspire innovation and achieve exceptional outcomes. Simply getting to a solution is not enough. Being right and being different are better.
Build External Relationships: Although few people think this way, the Inclusive Culture extends beyond the boundaries of an organization – into the marketplace and across industries. An organization that looks outward is more successful at innovating than a company obsessed with internal processes and politics. DuPont is just one example.
Remember that Great Is Never a Permanent Destination: Great companies disappear or lose their luster unless their leaders constantly strive, stretch, and grow – the business, the organization, and their own leadership. This is my fourth Hallmark, Continuous Exploration. Remember Circuit City.
In case you are wondering, the third Hallmark is Systematic Execution. New leaders are superb at executing. Great leaders work hard to create success in the marketplace.
Let me know if this approach resonates with you.
