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The leadership process and what can go wrong

The leadership process is vital when change is needed, writes Paul Thornton, who offers a four-step guide for long-term success.

4 min read

By Paul Thornton 09/04/24

DevelopmentLeadership

leadership process

Constantine Johnny/Getty Images

The goal of every leader is to improve the status quo.  They follow a four-step process to make it happen.    

leadership process

At each step in the process, it is important to seek input from a variety of people, including customers, suppliers, employees, competitors, your boss and even individuals from other industries. This approach ensures a well-rounded perspective. 

Step 1: Diagnose the situation

Just like a doctor starts by diagnosing the patient, you need to start by diagnosing the current situation. That includes understanding what is going on inside the organization as well as outside. You need to understand the market trends and what your key competitors are doing. 

Ask questions, observe behaviors, analyze data, conduct surveys and interview people to understand the current environment. 

I recommend you start by focusing on these three factors. 

  1. Assess the current output that is being produced. Consider both quantity and quality. 
  2. Analyze the efficiency and effectiveness of the strategy and processes that are being used.   
  3. Evaluate people’s skills and motivation and find out what they are thinking and feeling. 

Once you have all the data and put the pieces together, identify the organization’s biggest problem as well as what is working well. 

Are you taking into consideration all the relevant factors that affect the situation? 

Step 2: Identify opportunities

Some improvement opportunities may be apparent. Others can be achieved by benchmarking, brainstorming and having discussions with your customers, colleagues and employees. Once you have identified several improvement opportunities, do a cost-benefit analysis of each option. Next, identify the best one or two opportunities to pursue. 

You can only do some things because you have a limited supply of resources (people, time, money, etc.). In addition, people need more energy and capacity.   

What improvement opportunities are you considering? 

Step 3: Present your message

It must be relevant and meaningful to your audience. Do these three things.    

  1. Explain your ideas. Use simple examples, stories and visual aids to make your ideas understandable.   
  2. Sell your ideas — present evidence from pilot programs, experiments and testimonials. Explain the benefits so people understand what is in it for them.   
  3. Deliver your message with passion and conviction. 

Do you test out your ideas in a small group before presenting them to your target audience?  

Step 4: Plan & implement

Any change, small or large, requires a plan to help the target group (those who must change) become more able and more willing to do what is needed.  

An effective plan includes all the actions and resources required to make the necessary changes. In addition, it includes the actions needed to measure results, reward accomplishments and keep people informed. 

Implementation requires specific individuals to be assigned to each action item with timeframes to begin and complete each action item.   

What can go wrong

Several problems may occur:

  1. You misdiagnose the current situation, failing to identify the most critical problem or the best opportunity to pursue.
  2. Your message does not resonate with the audience.
  3. Your plan lacks important details and needed resources. 
  4. Tensions can arise between achieving operational results and implementing the change initiative.

These miscalculations often stem from having blind spots, surrounding yourself with “yes people,” being overly optimistic and poor planning. Kate Labor, an executive Vice President at Harris Corporation, said, “Things will go wrong. Fail quickly and pivot when necessary.”  

Solutions

  • Stay open and curious to understand what people are thinking and feeling at each step in the process.  
  • Change or expand the number of people with whom you solicit feedback and advice. 
  • Be flexible and adjust your plans and actions as needed.    

The status quo is comfortable and appealing. Implementing change is challenging.  

Effective leadership requires ongoing efforts to diagnose situations accurately, identify the best opportunities, craft compelling messages and execute well-structured plans. By staying open, curious and involving the right people, you can drive meaningful change and achieve long-term success.

Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.

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