Leading Teams in Complex Environments

JSC National Management Association Luncheon

October 21, 2009

C.A. Hatfield

What is a complex environment?

• Uncertain/changing direction– Augustine commission

• Technical complexity– Large projects are so complex today that no

single person has a complete grasp

• Changing environment– Less and less direct control (lead by influence

instead of directing)– More diverse culture (e.g., 10 healthy centers)– Globalization (Partners, Virtual Teams)– Rise of the internet age

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Complexity is Increasing

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Decreasing Control

LeadershipDifficulty

Direct

In Direct

Culture

Info Age

Leadership isn’t just about management

• Always a challenge, more so today– Uncertainty in direction– Increased complexity in how we operate

• All of us can be leaders– from the individual contributor to the

administrator

“Leadership is a choice, not a position”• Stephan Covey

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There is no single definition of leadership

Some classic definitions• Leadership occurs when one person

induces others to work toward some predetermined objectives.

• Massie

• Leadership is the art to of influencing and directing people in such a way that will win their obedience, confidence, respect and loyal cooperation in achieving common objectives.

• U. S. Air Force

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Dilbert’s View

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Perhaps the best definition (paraphrased)

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Hatfield’s Definition

“Motivating and encouraging people to achieve a worthwhile objective”

• People are the key– Their effort, knowledge, and skill

contributions are what accomplishes objectives

• “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”– John Quincy Adams (US President )

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The 3 Key Attributes

• Provide a Vision

• Respect People

• Competency and Integrity

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Provide a Vision

• Understand the environment you’re operating in– Know the rules, so you know how to use

them• Define a vision

– Clear, simple– Pass the “common sense test”

• Communicate!– “Commander’s intent”– Weekly notes, Email/blog

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Respect People

• Find the best people– Empower them– Make sure they’re looked after

• Treat people fairly– Respect their differences– Make sure they have balance in their

life

• Keep the mood light and fun

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Competency and Integrity

• Set the example

• Expect excellence

• Make realistic commitments and honor them

• Be knowledgeable and keep learning

• Allow time for creative thinking

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Pitfalls to avoid

• Leaving no time for reflection and thinking

• Multitasking– Blackberries would make Pavlov proud!– Laptops in meetings

• Hubris– Thinking you have all the answers

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Closing Thought

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."Theodore Roosevelt, American President

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