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Later in "News & Resources," a new article I wrote on mindfulness on the job.

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In last month’s newsletter, I explained the four styles: Leaders, Socializers, Thinkers, and Relaters. In the next four issues, I'll explain how to flex most effectively to each style in order to reduce their resistance.

The Leader style is a task-oriented extrovert. A Leader is at her best with varied activities, autonomy, and projects that produce tangible results. When resistant, the Leader style tries to run the show. She’s easily frustrated and sometimes argumentative when the big picture doesn’t look the way she wants it to.

If a conversation was a tennis match, watch this match between a boss and a direct report with a Leader style. As each person speaks, notice who is in control and who ultimately wins the conversation.

Boss: “I want you to develop a prototype of an atom splitter.”

Leader Style: “That won’t work. We tried that before you got here.”

Boss: “Okay, what will work?”

Leader Style: “Nothing really. We should shift our efforts to another product.”

Boss: “Okay, which one?”

Game over. Leader style wins.

Let’s try it again. This time watch how the boss uses Laser statements and Open-ended Questions to keep responsibility and accountability in the Leader’s lap.

Boss: “I want you to develop a prototype of an atom splitter.”

Leader Style: “That won’t work. We tried that before you got here.”

Boss: “Okay, what will work?”

Leader Style: “Nothing really. I think we should shift our efforts to another product.”

Boss: “That’s not an option. What are the reasons it didn’t’ work before?”

Leader Style: “Not enough time or money. When is this company going to get that it has to fully fund prototype development and stop trying to do everything on the cheap?”

Boss: “How much time and money?”

Leader Style: “Three months and $750K.”

Boss: “How could you cut that in half?”

Leader Style: “Impossible. It wouldn’t be worth the effort to do a lousy job.”

Boss: “How could you get a good enough prototype in six weeks with $375K so that we could recoup our investment in six months and then continue product development?”

You get the gist of it? Don’t take no for an answer. No matter what type of resistance the Leader style serves, no matter where she hits it in your court, slice it right back. Nicely, of course.

Help the Leader Zoom In
The Leader style tends to focus too much on the big picture. Imagine the Leader’s mind as a camera lens that’s usually set on extreme wide angle, so details look fuzzy. Help the Leader zoom in a bit---not all the way to telephoto---but, enough to focus on what is working well right now.

Do this by asking questions that break an issue down into smaller components. Once the Leader has identified all of the parts, ask her to pick one component to focus on and improve. Turn that piece of the project into a game, and put the Leader in charge of winning it.

When communicating with a resistant Leader type:

• Acknowledge her leadership strengths: “Your project vision inspired the team.”

• Listen to her innovative ideas, and then ask her to weigh the pros and cons of each: “You’ve got an intriguing proposal. What aspects of it do you think will be supported and rejected?”

• Set performance expectations for learning to break large projects into specific deliverables and for developing team skills like listening and recognizing other’s opinions, feelings, and contributions: “During our next team meeting, I want to hear you acknowledge at least one person for a specific accomplishment.”

The Leader’s mind is bright and quick. You’ll have to be on your toes to help her focus it on what’s happening right now.

I'd love to hear your ideas on the Leader style. Send me your thoughts or questions about the Leader style.

News and Resources:

• Here's an article I wrote this summer for Connections and Reflections, the GAINS Quarterly, on how one of my clients used mindfulness in a sticky situation at work.

• There are only a few spaces left for the Powerful Leader retreat in Albuquerque on November 5th. I'd love to have you join us.

Suzanne Kryder, Ph.D.
P.O. Box 35429
Albuquerque, NM 87176 USA
505.232.8433

P.S. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can listen to or download a 10-minute guided exercise on breath awareness here.

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