Practice Management

"Practice."  That's what Jim Kouzes, co-author of The Leadership Challenge book and leadership development process said last weekend at the annual conference for LC facilitators and clients.  Invoking Olympic tales and sports analogies, Kouzes said that leaders need to identify specific skills that they need to develop, create ways to improve those skills, and practice them daily to refine them. 

"My son once asked his tennis coach how much he needs to practice to be competitive.  He answered, "Two hours a day to keep your skills.  Three to improve."  Kouzes said.  As it turns out, research on expertise indicates that the most important factor in developing top-level performance - whether it be in the boardroom or basketball court - is not innate talent, rather it is dedicated practice. 

"Eat. Sleep. Swim." is how Michael Phelps describes his life. 

So what can leaders do to practice leadership?

Taking the Leadership Practice Inventory (LPI)is  a great way to start.  The LPI is a 360 degree and personal leadership skill assessment that illustrates your leadership strengths and weaknesses.  Kouzes challenged the prevalent idea that leaders should focus only on leveraging their strengths, "Often, it is our weaknesses as a leader that get in the way of us being effective.  We need to work on both our strengths and weaknesses to be more effective leaders."

The five practices of LC are:

   -  Model the way

  -  Inspire a shared vision

  -  Challenge the process

  -  Enable others to act

  -  Encourage the heart

In what area do you need practice?  Communication?  Sharing your vision for a practice group or firm?  Giving feedback?  Catching someone doing something right?  Delegating?  Mentoring or coaching?  Modelling the firm's or your values?  One on one communication?