5 Factors of Leadership
Introduction to the 5 Factors of Leadership Performance
There is unnecessary complexity in the world of leadership development.
Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of articles, blog posts, and social media shares each year tout things like “The 10 Things Every Leader Must Do”, “The 5 Essential Skills You Need as a Leader”, and “What Good Managers Do Differently”.
These articles and their authors are likely well-intentioned, but they add noise, complexity, and overwhelm to leaders who already feel like they’re “not doing enough” but also “don’t have extra time or energy.”
We’re hyper-aware of this dynamic and want to be sure that the content we share creates simplicity where there is complexity, clarity where there is confusion, and focus where there is overwhelm.
In our work with leaders across a variety of levels, industries, and organizational structures, we remain convinced that leadership –in structure – is remarkably simple.
No, that doesn’t make it easy, because leadership is ultimately relational and situational –people are complex and situations are always changing.
However, it can be simple.
I - Insights
Fundamentally, as a leader, there are five factors you can control or influence that will dictate the results and impact of your leadership. And, conveniently, all five factors can be described using words that begin with P!
PERFORMANCE (What?)
Where are we going?
How do we define success?
PROCESS (How?)
How will we get there?
What will it take to sustain success?
PEOPLE (Who?)
Who is going?
What role and responsibility will each member play in contributing to success?
PURPOSE (Why?)
Why are we going “there”?
What will be different as a result?
PACE (When?)
What’s the expectation regarding when we will get there?
How do we effectively prioritize?
T - Tactics
Effective leaders communicate the answers to these questions. They do so with a high degree of consistency, providing support, feedback, accountability, and reinforcement along the way. They align these areas and help the team adapt when plans and priorities change.
Self-Coach
Think through the areas in which you are providing leadership– formally or informally.
In these areas, which of the five factors is lacking? Performance, Process, People, Purpose, or Pace?
What can you do to bring clarity and alignment to that factor (or factors)?
Reflect on what you know about your personality, traits, and tendencies. Which of these factors comes more naturally to you? Which might you unconsciously ignore or undervalue?
Y - Your Commitment
If you want to know how well you are doing in each factor, ask for feedback from those you’re leading and have them rate you in each area!
