People-Centric LeadershipGood Intentions Are Not Enough

Ed HessProfessor of Business AdministrationBatten Executive-in-ResidenceHesse@darden.virginia.eduwww.EDHLTD.com

Darden Alumni Weekend

April 27, 2012

Objectives:

Share with you converging research on: High performance organizations (HPO) High performance leadership Manager best practices

Begin thinking about what effective leadership

means.

Begin drilling down to the mission criticalbehaviors necessary for effective

leadership.

2

The Real Challenge

Leadership attitudes and beliefsLeader valuesLeadership principlesLeadership philosophy

Most people figure out what leadership isMost people fail to executeTranslating theory into consistent daily

behavior

3

Behavior

Clear and Compelling

4

$$$

Employees Clients

How Do You Create Employee Engagement?

1. Is it your culture?

2. Is it having fun?

3. Is it $$?

4. Is it perks?

5. Is it hiring the right people?

6. Is it being a great place to work?

7. Is it charismatic leadership?

8. Is it having the right mission?

5

#1: Most Critical: Most Important Factor

Leaders

OR

Leaders

ORLeaders

6

Emotional Intelligence Research Case Western

50-70% of how employees perceive their job can

be traced to 1 person = their boss

Does my boss:

truly care about me ? help me grow and advance? give me feedback fairly and consistently ? listen to my opinion ? treat me as a person ?

7

THE “DOMINO EFFECT” OF LEADERSHIP

Leadership cascades down an organization

People think it is okay to treat their peoplelike they are treated

People imitate, role model acceptablebehaviors

8

Leaders

Most people want to lead because of the:

5 Ps Power Prestige Pay Promotions Perks

9

Leadership Perspective

Is it all about YOU?

OR

Is it all about THEM?

10

Leadership Principles

Straightforward and simple, really only 4:

Golden Rule Take care of your people Lead by example Do what’s right

11

Leadership Principles

Principles are Simple, Daily Execution is Hard

Consistency Discipline Thousands of little acts Leadership fishbowl

Expertise research

12

Leadership Principles

Communication happens through:

50% Body language

38% Tone

7% Words

13

Professor Jane Dutton Energizing Your Workplace

HPLs of HPOs

1. UPS 9. SAS

2. Best Buy 10. Walgreens

3. Tiffany & Company 11. Room & Board

4. Whole Foods 12. Levy Restaurants

5. Ritz Carlton 13. Starbucks

6. Southwest Air 14. Costco

7. Outback 15. McKinsey

8. Sysco 16. San Antonio Spurs

14

Positive Work Environments

15

PWE’s lead to better performance, creativity, decision making,  and cognitive processing PWE’s are characterized as being positively energizing not energy draining : statements 5 to 1; inquiry to advocacy 1 to 1 Cameron, Positive Leadership ( BK, 2008) 

16

Effective Leadership Execution

Five Steps

Right Leadership Attitudes and Beliefs

4 Fundamental Leadership Principles

Leader’s Self-management Tools

Leadership Skills How to Lead

Fight the Dailykillers of

Effective Leadership