Leadership with depth: why effective leadership needs root-canal treatment

Leadership with depth: why effective leadership needs root-canal treatment

What do you see that needs to be done, and do you have the courage to do it?

These are the two most important questions every leader should answer, according to James G. Clawson, author of “Level Three Leadership: Getting Below the Surface”.

I had the opportunity to meet James G. Clawson personally at a leadership programme a good fifteen years ago. I was deeply impressed by his approach: true leadership is more than a position. It is about managing energy, first your own and then that of the people around you.

Key elements of leadership

Effective leadership consists of four key elements:

1. Self
2. Others
3. Task
4. Organisation

These elements must interact within a strategic context. Clawson therefore describes a diamond model of leadership.

Levels of leadership

Clawson describes leadership on three levels:

1. Visible behaviour, level one
2. Conscious thoughts, level two
3. Deeply rooted values and beliefs, level three

Anyone wanting to make a real difference must learn to lead at level three.

Depth of influence: level three leadership addresses fundamental values, assumptions, beliefs and expectations, or VABEs. By influencing these deeply rooted elements, leaders can achieve more profound and lasting change.

Engagement and commitment: unlike level one leadership, which focuses on compliance, level three aims for deep engagement by aligning organisational goals with employees’ intrinsic motivations.

Long-term impact: level three leadership initially requires more effort but produces lasting results and encourages excellence and continuous improvement.

Techniques and skills: effective level three leaders use storytelling, visioning and leading by example to communicate core values.

Organisational implications: at an organisational level, level three leadership involves understanding and shaping the culture to create a coherent, aligned organisation.

Level three leadership aims to make a significant, lasting difference. It goes beyond superficial management techniques to encourage genuine commitment and long-term success. “Level Three Leadership: Getting Below the Surface” is a book I wholeheartedly recommend to every leader.

Effective leadership therefore needs root-canal treatment. It is often delayed for a long time, is uncomfortable and usually hurts. But, as with good root-canal treatment, the results are worthwhile: a healthy, strong foundation for lasting success.

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