The book The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable, Publisher Josey-Bass, 2008, tells a story in an entertaining way while explaining Thompson's brilliant 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership that he developed with Barry Posner.
- Many power-tripping leaders do confuse decision making with leadership. If you empower your team to make individual decisions, the whole organization becomes more effective. It’s less stressful, more productive and empowering for team members. It’s also less work for the leader.
Sometimes it’s hard for leaders to admit they don’t have all the answers. When they can humble themselves and ask questions, they will get more respect and input from others.
Each character in the story has recognizable strengths and weaknesses and throughout the story we watch them learn and develop leadership skills during the offsite meeting.
The five practices of leadership seem simple but putting them into practice and setting your ego aside is the challenge.
1. Model the Way
If your actions and words line up, you will be more credible. It’ common sense but it’s important. This requires discipline and the ability to clarify what your goals and values are. If you can project your unique voice confidently, you’re more likely to be taken seriously
2. Inspire a Shared Vision
If the whole team can share the same vision they will work harder because they can all envision the same future.
3. Challenge the Process
This is one that many have issues with because it means allowing others to learn from their own experiences. It means embracing change, asking questions and taking risks. This is not the traditional way old school leaders rule since many want blind obedience.
4.Enable Others to Act
Encouraging others by strengthening relationships with ongoing communication makes it easier to trust leaders. Each individual becomes more confident when they are given more responsibilities suited to their strengths.
5 .Encourage the Heart
When people are rewarded with positive feedback as opposed to just being punished for what they do wrong, the team becomes a stronger community. This is one of the most important aspects of leadership training. When people feel appreciated and communication is open, there is less resentment and back stabbing.
Although Robert H. Thompson is accustomed to writing non-fiction, he’s a skilled storyteller. He successfully weaves his lessons of leadership with characters who grow in spite of their weaknesses. Some were timid and lacking in confidence while others were stubborn and fought change. In the end they all learned and grew, as anyone who reads the The Offsite will.
