How to Win As a Leader

Equalizer: Your strength is the structure you bring us. We need a foundation, a grid, a framework within which to create. We turn to you for guidance.

• We trust you to do the right thing. You are so transparent about this value that it gives us confidence that we’re aligned behind an ethical and forthright individual. You do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it. We love this about you. Protect this reputation above all else.

• Life moves so quickly that we can get lost. We rely on you to tell us what you are certain of, what we can rely on. Your discipline is the catalyst for our creativity, our experiments in how to go above and beyond what the client or our colleagues expect.

• Pay attention to the team’s energy. If you can’t get a sense for it, find a trusted partner to help you gauge it. Sometimes you miss important clues about how we feel because you’re so focused on direction or process. Create a team-member panel to allow direct interaction with a group of frontliners. This is a great opportunity for us to share what it really feels like here. Be sure to keep it casual and we’ll open right up.

• Show us your personality. We sometimes feel we don’t really know you. Take the time to tell personal stories and we’ll feel more connected. You don’t have to be the entertainer at the front of the room, just look for opportunities to make personal connections as you walk the office or share our successes.

• Ensure we’re prepared. Clearly articulate the what, how, and why of quality and the steps we need to take to maximize it. Create opportunities for us to practice activities that might be expected of us. That way, when it comes time to measure the quality of our work, we won’t fear this event; we will look forward to it.

• Acknowledge when it is time to give up on an idea, project, or person. Your commitment to finishing what you started can sometimes blind you to negative realities.