Results versus relationships – what’s your priority?

In Patrick Lencioni’s book, The Five Temptations of a CEO, he discusses where he feels leaders err. Results matter, but how we obtain them makes a huge difference. Here are 5 thoughts to reflect on:

1. Status Over Results
   To address this: focus on your goals and the results, document and share both, and assess if you’ve truly been successful
   
   
2. Popularity Over Accountability
   To address this: hold people accountable, confront direct reports immediately about behavior and performance issues, and ensure you clearly communicate expectations
   
   
3. Certainty Over Clarity
   To address this: make deadlines known and apply critical thinking skills when a decision has to be made, especially when information may be lacking
   
   
4. Harmony Over Conflict
   To address this: ensure you have a culture of productive conflict, encourage differing opinions and perspectives, and allow passionate, yet healthy, discussions to occur
   
   
5. Invulnerability Over Trust
   To address this: focus on creating strong relationships and acknowledge when you err or make a mistake and allow direct reports (and colleagues) to see your human side
   
   

Lencioni’s recap:
Trust let’s healthy conflict occur > conflict leads to clarity > clarity allows accountability > accountability ensures results

Building trusting relationships is key. As leaders it’s essential for us to be authentic, communicate with clarity, be inspiring, provide meaningful feedback, and be receptive to receiving feedback. These are critical behaviors that help build trust and drive and attain desired results.

What are you doing to build and maintain trusting and lasting relationships? Is there anything you’d like to change?