A MODEL OF LEADERSHIP BEST PRACTICE BY ALAN CUTLER

“There is no such thing as a perfect leader, either in the past or present, in China or elsewhere. 

If there is one, he is only pretending, like a pig inverting spring onions into his nose in an effort to look like an elephant”.

                                                                                          Liu Shao-Chi

It may be true that there is no such thing as the perfect leader – leaders are human, after all.  However, that is not to say that people who hold leadership positions within the hospitality industry should not continually seek to improve their leadership skills.

How often have we worked for managers, senior to ourselves, and have asked  “How did he get to that position?”?  Some appear not to have any clear idea where they are taking their organisation; others preside over people who are frustrated, demotivated and in constant conflict within teams and between teams.  Comments such as “nobody tells us anything”, “nobody listens to us” and “there is a rumour going round that …” are heard throughout the organisation.

These managers hardly set an example for others to follow.  They may have a badge on their suit or their office door that  pronounces them ‘Chief Executive’; ‘Catering Manager’; or ‘Head Chef’ but do these ‘badge holders’ display all the necessary qualities to inspire others to follow them?  It is unlikely that people are promoted to senior positions without any leadership skills, but they may lack one or more essential ones.

In order to measure managers’ leadership capabilities we need to identify what are the essential qualities of an effective leader.  In my view they are six in number:

A Leader is a visionary

A Leader sets an example

A Leader understands what motivates each team member

A Leader builds supportive relationships

A Leader empowers others to reach their potential

A Leader understands the power of communications

 

There are the six components that each leader must work hard at continually and consistently applying and, most importantly, demonstrating in all he or she does.  Think of it as a jigsaw – The Leadership Jigsaw®.

How can any leader be effective if he or she is:

 'One Piece Short of a Jigsaw?'

Measure your own leadership skills against each piece of The Leadership Jigsaw by completing The Big Jigsaw® Puzzle. Click Here to learn more.

Want to know more about The Leadership Jigsaw?

Click here to read an article Alan Cutler has written on the model

Or, if you want to the full picture, buy Alan book, 'One Piece Short of a Jigsaw?', published by Management Books 2000. Retailing at £14.99, we are pleased to offer it to readers of this web site for only £12 plus £1.50 p&p. Email your request to learn@hospitalityleadership.com