Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.
–Plato
The last piece of our VMGM (Vision, Mission, Goals, Measures) discussion is related to BEHAVIORS. We must be purposeful with our behaviors, and bottom line, all of our behaviors must support the achievement of our VMG.
This obviously requires that we are intimately aware of our VMG, that we are not only very clear on our role, but that we have a deeper understanding of HOW our role impacts successfully living and achieving our Vision, Mission, and Goals.
As Plato says our BEHAVIOR flows from our desire, emotion, and knowledge.
We also have to ensure our key processes and strategies are linked with our vision, mission and goals. This includes:
- Hiring
- Training and development
- Performance Appraisals
- Rewards and Recognition
- Communication plans (the mode, the frequency, the level of content)
- Change (anything new?)
- Conflict (managing differences and expectations)
Do you want your behaviors to be modeled by others? Be honest! Ideally we’ll see positive behaviors in others, and if we’re truly effective leaders, some of those behaviors we observe may have been influenced by our own actions and behaviors.
You know the old clichés:
Walk the talk. Practice what you preach. Lead by example. Actions speak louder than words. Don’t ask others to do something you’re not willing to do. Be continual learners. Practice and apply new learnings. Be open to feedback. Listen twice as much as you talk.
Bottom line: be aware that we as leaders are indeed observed so model the behaviors that will help us, our colleagues, and our direct reports achieve the vision, mission, and goals for our organization.
Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks, feels, or believes.
—Emily Dickinson