Who do you have at the top?

Jim Collins, in his book “Good to Great”, discusses the importance of having the right people on the bus, and in the correct seats. This is no-more-true than at the top of the organization.

We need to have leaders on our teams who have the correct skillsets for their roles, but who, just as importantly, embody the values, attitude, and mission of our organization.

The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) recommends that every healthy organization should have 2 different skillsets at the top, a Visionary and an Integrator (think CEO and COO). I have found this to be the best structure for healthy organizational dynamics. Teams can be transformed when they have competent leaders in these roles. 

The Visionary’s role is to propel the team forward into their future. The Integrators role is to be the operational mastermind, making sure that the team is executing with excellence, all the while keeping the Visionary in check.

It is a huge fallacy, however, to think that having the correct skill sets at the top will guarantee success. Yes, we need these skill sets, but can they work well together? Sound leadership begins with teamwork, and it needs to be modeled at the highest level of the organization.

These two positions and skillsets will naturally have conflict. Healthy conflict and mutual respect are key to this structure’s success.

Here is a check list for the leaders of your organization:

1. Do they have complimentary skill sets? I perform at my best with people around me who are smarter than I am, with talents that complement mine.

2. Is healthy conflict among your leaders encouraged and embraced? Healthy cultures embrace opposing ideas and trust that the collective genius of the team will produce the best results.

3. Is mutual respect modeled? Leaders who practice humility will be rewarded with a stronger-performing team and a culture that embraces the best ideas, regardless of origin.

4. Do you have an accountability culture that your leadership models and enforces? Using objective measures to track our performance holds us accountable to where we hope to be and helps align everyone’s arrows in the same direction.

5. Do your leaders share a positive attitude? Hardship and challenges always come to organizations. A positive attitude, as demonstrated by leaders, can be one of the best antidotes in these times. 

Do you have the correct people at the top of your organization and are they modeling how you want the rest of the team to act?