eee Thoma * Solving your people puzzles LEADERSHIP SKILLS 15/03/2012 Thomas Sample Private & Confidential Leaders possess a Vision’: a long term view of the shape of an organisation, a brand, product, service or project. This vision shapes other people's actions and decisions. Leaders enthuse and motivate people by the way they communicate this vision They form great teams, some of whose members know more about specific areas than them. Leaders point their team in the right direction, through their vision; they set the ground rules while enabling a team and its members to achieve their full potential, They allow people to make mistakes - but not too many. They praise as well as correct. Leaders act quickly to solve problems. They know enough about their business or particular organisational competences to be respected, but they don't get lost in detail, They walk the talk: they act in a way which consistently reflects what they say. creating trust and a reputation for integrity PERSONAL LEADERSHIP STYLE D 1 S C Thomas Sample’s profile indicates that her leadership style is personable and procedural and she is likely to be a good leader in technical, specialist and administrative or professional areas. She is likely to work best in a participative, democratic and structured organisational culture. However, she may find it challenging to make decisions quickly and intuitively, without time to weigh up the positives and negatives. Her leadership potential will also depend on aspects of her emotional awareness and level of fluid [| intelligence Likely Leadership Strengths Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing Loyal, patient and reliable Persistent, ties up loose ends and sees a job through to conclusion Works hard in order to achieve results and is well organised Diplomatic and sensitive to others’ points of view Potential Leadership Limitations May find it challenging to take control of situations © Thomas International Limited 1900-2012 itp: wa thomasinternationaLneteee Thoma * Sohing your people puzzles May prefer tried and tested methods of working rather than taking risks Could have difficulty making decisions if not sure of facts May be hesitant when required to enforce her point of view May be too lenient and accommodating with under performers General Communication Thomas Sample will generally ike to involve and listen to others and will tend to be enthusiastic in her approach to communication. She is likely to be strong in her verbal and written communication. There may also be a tendency for her to use data, facts and figures as a means of convincing others to her way of thinking. Thomas Sample’s profile suggests that although she will be comfortable asserting her views in her own area of expertise, she may avoid conflict of opinion if she is dealing with issues outside of her remit Presentation Style Thomas Sample is likely to be a thorough, relaxed presenter of the facts. She will generally be a logical and systematic presenter and will tend to express the advantages and benefits of her services as well as objectively state the potential drawbacks. However, she may over-emphasise detail, technicalities and features and under emphasise benefits Decision Making Style Thomas Sample's profile suggests that she tends to make decisions that fit in with the organisational policies or procedures, and within her own area of knowledge. She is likely to make decisions once she has made herself aware of the facts. As her decisions are likely to be carefully considered she is likely to follow through and deliver on decisions made which may result in her generating trust from others. However, if she is working in an area where facts are not available, she could be seen by others to be rather indecisive. This may frustrate colleagues who are keen to take action immediately. Meeting Deadlines and Time Management Thomas Sample will generally work best in a predictable environment where unexpected changes to the routine are kept toa minimum. Time management, in this context, will tend to reflect careful thought and planning and itis likely that deadlines will be met by her. However, she may tend to dislike frequent, last-minute changes that cause her to work less methodically and she may become strong-willed in resisting attempts to hurry her if she judges disorganisation and lack of consideration to be the reason Goal Focus Thomas Sample is likely to be motivated to achieve social recognition, establish a stable working environment and to set and maintain high standards of work. She will tend to be comfortable in an environment which offers the opportunity for regular interaction with others and offers sincere recognition and reward. Administration ‘Administration and organisation are likely to be leadership assets and she will tend to be persistent, thorough and procedural by nature. She should have no problems in following through and finishing the job provided that she is interested in what she is doing and puts her mind to completing the task. Being systematic by nature, she will tend to ensure things are correct. In addition, she is likely to be methodical and well-organised although there may be an odd occasion when she does not define the detail Planning and Problem Solving Thomas Sample is likely to be a detailed planner, who takes care to allow for all possible difficulties and challenges. Her approach lends itself to excellent short-term and intermediate planning. On the other hand, this approach may at times be too © Thomas International Limited 1900-2012 itp: wa thomasinternationaLnet 2eee Thoma * Sohing your people puzzles detailed for long-term planning and may be too cautious for strategic planning, which requires more risk-taking. Thomas Sample is likely to prefer to solve problems as a team. This can be valuable as it ensures all points of view are considered. She may also make others feel empowered and motivated by including them. However, when solving a problem her indecision could adversely affect har problem solving abilities, particularly the speed in which she resolves difficult situations. Ensuring Quality and Accuracy Thomas Sample will have a tendency to be concemed with delivering work to a high standard and is likely to take responsibility for ensuring all the loose ends of an assignment are tied up. This may instil trust from her colleagues as she is likely to deliver what she has promised She will tend to strive to ensure that the facts are correct and that work is presented to suit others’ expectations, Attention to detail and thoroughness will generally be present in her work, which will be undertaken willingly with care and concern for standards, Handling Criticism and Agression Thomas Sample is likely to strive to develop and maintain friendly, trouble-free relationships with others and may use her persuasion skills and patience to do so. She may at times be overly concerned with satisfying others and may yield her standpoint in order to maintain a favourable and on-going working relationship with them, Thomas Sample will tend to handle criticism calmly and objectively under most conditions as she is likely to be tolerant and self-contralled. However, she may become unsettled ifthe criticism is of a personal nature, at times internalise the issue However, if she has high levels of self-esteem, she may not be affected by criticism in this way. EL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS If Thomas Sample is an existing leader within the organisation and the above-mentioned limitations are evident, then we recommend that you consider providing her with the training recommended below, but only if such training has not previously been undertaken. Assertiveness People who are assertive are usually positive and confident, yet organised and objective. They are willing to urge others to achieve better results and do not back down to antagonistic individuals. By not negotiating tough targets, Thomas Sample may bring about a loss of direction which may cause frustration, problems or pressure. Thomas Sample may not appear to be assertive outside her area of expertise and this may need attention if her leadership abilities are to be enhanced She may benefit from training which covers the following: Personal Rights - An individual has the right to express a view or opinion, share feelings, change her mind and not be patronised: Facing Assertion or Aggression - How to deal with these behavioural traits in others; Conflict Resolution; Handling antagonistic situations; © Thomas International Limited 1900-2012 itp: wa thomasinternationaLnet 3Thoma * Negotiation Objective Setting People who are competent in setting long-term strategic targets identify critical, innovative and far reaching objectives. They will not only communicate their requirements verbally to others but will also commit them to paper, informing those involved of their objectives, timescale and where their particular area of responsibilty and authority lies in order to gain achievement. Goals and key tasks must be testing for seif and others, and should be seen to be achievable, valuable and measureable Thomas Sample may benefit from training in the following areas: establishing tough objectives; identifying key tasks; defining how performance will be measured. © Thomas International Limited 1900-2012 itp: wa thomasinternationaLnet