leadership from the front vis a vis leadership from the back--which is more effective
Mohan KulkarniPM Specialist| MBK ConsultantsPune, Maharashtra State. India, India
There are many leadership styles. Right choice or mix of choices for applicability varies with many many factors.
Many say leader should lead from front and many say leader should lead from back . Could this be said that Leading from Back with changed times be more effective than leading from front. ---views solicited
Mohan Saving Changes...
I would state that it depends on many factors on where the team is at in development. A team in the forming stage, for instance, likely needs a lot more front end work to get them aligned and functioning. Once there though, especially if we are developing others within, it should be more from the back. My thoughts, great thread. Very interested in seeing others respond!
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1 reply by Mohan Kulkarni
Jun 08, 2020 3:11 AM
Mohan Kulkarni
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Dear Stephen
I agree with you that it depends on many factors. it many issues such as stageof orject in which the team is working, complexity and criticality of the project or program,it depends on the competencies of team members, it depends on culture of organisationand further it depends on the degree integration effort required with the supporting program/process activities and core aprogram activities. Really it is complex .The program/project manager is expected to be circumscibing all the facets for successful delivery--it is not only front or back but all round leadership.
Thanks for your inputs.
Regards
Mohan
Saving Changes...
Mark PaleschPresident| Palesch Consulting Group IncCa, United States
I agree with Stephen Buck. It really depends on where the team exists within the Tuckman Stages. Here is my perspective:
Forming – The team is just getting to know one another. They may be excited about the work ahead, yet still cautious. They are generally polite and avoid conflict, wanting to be liked and accepted by the rest of the group.
Suggested Leadership Style – Provide structure and clear direction. Give them background info to help them understand the goals of the team. Group decision making may not work yet, because people are trying to avoid conflict. Use ground rules to establish team expectations.
Storming – The team may experience thrashing and power struggles. People are trying to understand their responsibilities and their place on the team. Some people will challenge authority during this stage – especially YOUR authority.
Suggested Leadership Style – Continue to provide structure and clear direction. Recognize early accomplishments. Facilitate group discussions and decisions. Leading by example is always critical and definitely key during the storming stage.
Norming – Team members are settling down. They are trusting one another and trusting the team. They can make team decisions, but sometimes still try to avoid conflict.
Suggested Leadership Style – As the team strengthens you can act as a more facilitative leader. Don’t let the team avoid necessary conflict.
Performing – This group is a united effective work group. They handle challenges, change and obstacles and make it look easy. Relationships are strong and trust is high. The team really has ownership of the goal and people help one another.
Suggested Leadership Style – The team requires less hands-on leadership and you can focus on removing obstacles and improving team processes. You can delegate much more and share your responsibility more widely.
Effective leadership is situational leadership. In certain situations, it makes absolute sense for a leader to be in the front and very directive - for example, if a law is being broken or health & safety are at risk.
Kiron
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1 reply by Mark Palesch
Jul 19, 2020 2:22 AM
Mark Palesch
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Well Stated Kiron! While the four types of Situational leadership styles: Directing, Coaching, Supporting and Delegating have their advantages and disadvantages, choosing the right leadership style for the right people, at the appropriate time is critical. I also believe it depends on the competence and maturity of the followers, and where a team might be at in their development and growth. To me, it's a mix of both factors requiring a leader to use different strategies and methods.
Thank you for starting this thread.
It is a very interesting topic to discuss.
The leadership in general is situational and it can float between front or back.
For example in a crisis situation where team is not able to take appropriate approach or decision, leading the team will be more appropriate.
At the same time if team is doing good then taking a back stage and just helping them to create the wow factor would be the other approach.
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1 reply by Mohan Kulkarni
Jun 08, 2020 5:09 AM
Mohan Kulkarni
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Dear Tarun
Thanks for the input
In my view ,once the ground rule and working agreements are set,it can be good practice to lead from back, stay detached,but stay in touch and have overall view with due alerness to control and navigate as needed to help the team.
This will result into due freedom required for the team and kind of trust and confidence about leadership.
Of course there can be specific projects like defence where criticality and complexity is very high, leading from front would be obvious and necessary.
Regards
Mohan
Saving Changes...
Mohan KulkarniPM Specialist| MBK ConsultantsPune, Maharashtra State. India, India
In my view successful approach is to create a leadership space by the leader and all those elements in a group or a system get induced by the leadership . Thus while every element is charged with leadership and self motivated n self propelled wherever and whenever need is felt at different phases, that gets filled up by the leader advice. Such space leader can create by 1) open Mind, 2)consumer focus, 3) by assuming ownership,4) by remaining detached 5)by encouaging collaboration n participation, 6) by creating transparency and Trust 7) by leveraging strength,&7) by disciplined execution .
This creation leadership space will help to optimal mix of leading from, front, back, side whereby everybody in the team will feel oneself responsible while having freedom to operate with the boundaries well known and confident that the leader is their to support and responsibility for the outcome .
Mohan Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
the only thing that is effective is the leadership style that is aligened with your current organization work place leadership style. No more than that.
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1 reply by Mohan Kulkarni
Jun 08, 2020 3:17 AM
Mohan Kulkarni
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Dear Sergio
Thanks for your inputs
Are you saying that there is a delinking between the complexity and criticality of the project or a program ? I doubt. The leadership style for the project or program is very much dependent on many other factors and id need be organisation work place leadership style may be required to get aligned with that preferred style that will delver results
Regards
Mohan
Saving Changes...
Mohan KulkarniPM Specialist| MBK ConsultantsPune, Maharashtra State. India, India
Jun 06, 2020 7:46 PM
Replying to Stephen Buck
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I would state that it depends on many factors on where the team is at in development. A team in the forming stage, for instance, likely needs a lot more front end work to get them aligned and functioning. Once there though, especially if we are developing others within, it should be more from the back. My thoughts, great thread. Very interested in seeing others respond!
Dear Stephen
I agree with you that it depends on many factors. it many issues such as stageof orject in which the team is working, complexity and criticality of the project or program,it depends on the competencies of team members, it depends on culture of organisationand further it depends on the degree integration effort required with the supporting program/process activities and core aprogram activities. Really it is complex .The program/project manager is expected to be circumscibing all the facets for successful delivery--it is not only front or back but all round leadership.
Thanks for your inputs.
Regards
Mohan Saving Changes...
Mohan KulkarniPM Specialist| MBK ConsultantsPune, Maharashtra State. India, India
Jun 07, 2020 5:06 PM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
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the only thing that is effective is the leadership style that is aligened with your current organization work place leadership style. No more than that.
Dear Sergio
Thanks for your inputs
Are you saying that there is a delinking between the complexity and criticality of the project or a program ? I doubt. The leadership style for the project or program is very much dependent on many other factors and id need be organisation work place leadership style may be required to get aligned with that preferred style that will delver results
Regards
Mohan
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1 reply by Sergio Luis Conte
Jun 08, 2020 8:54 AM
Sergio Luis Conte
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There are not a project more complex than other. But no matter that, leadership style is a matter of organizational culture not a matter of the project or program itself.
Saving Changes...
Mohan KulkarniPM Specialist| MBK ConsultantsPune, Maharashtra State. India, India
Jun 07, 2020 1:27 AM
Replying to Mark Palesch
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I agree with Stephen Buck. It really depends on where the team exists within the Tuckman Stages. Here is my perspective:
Forming – The team is just getting to know one another. They may be excited about the work ahead, yet still cautious. They are generally polite and avoid conflict, wanting to be liked and accepted by the rest of the group.
Suggested Leadership Style – Provide structure and clear direction. Give them background info to help them understand the goals of the team. Group decision making may not work yet, because people are trying to avoid conflict. Use ground rules to establish team expectations.
Storming – The team may experience thrashing and power struggles. People are trying to understand their responsibilities and their place on the team. Some people will challenge authority during this stage – especially YOUR authority.
Suggested Leadership Style – Continue to provide structure and clear direction. Recognize early accomplishments. Facilitate group discussions and decisions. Leading by example is always critical and definitely key during the storming stage.
Norming – Team members are settling down. They are trusting one another and trusting the team. They can make team decisions, but sometimes still try to avoid conflict.
Suggested Leadership Style – As the team strengthens you can act as a more facilitative leader. Don’t let the team avoid necessary conflict.
Performing – This group is a united effective work group. They handle challenges, change and obstacles and make it look easy. Relationships are strong and trust is high. The team really has ownership of the goal and people help one another.
Suggested Leadership Style – The team requires less hands-on leadership and you can focus on removing obstacles and improving team processes. You can delegate much more and share your responsibility more widely.
Thanks for your response and inputs
Regards
Mohan Saving Changes...
Mohan KulkarniPM Specialist| MBK ConsultantsPune, Maharashtra State. India, India
Jun 07, 2020 9:51 AM
Replying to Tarun Nair
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Thank you for starting this thread.
It is a very interesting topic to discuss.
The leadership in general is situational and it can float between front or back.
For example in a crisis situation where team is not able to take appropriate approach or decision, leading the team will be more appropriate.
At the same time if team is doing good then taking a back stage and just helping them to create the wow factor would be the other approach.
Dear Tarun
Thanks for the input
In my view ,once the ground rule and working agreements are set,it can be good practice to lead from back, stay detached,but stay in touch and have overall view with due alerness to control and navigate as needed to help the team.
This will result into due freedom required for the team and kind of trust and confidence about leadership.
Of course there can be specific projects like defence where criticality and complexity is very high, leading from front would be obvious and necessary.
Regards
Mohan Saving Changes...
