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The The EdgeEdge for Project Success: for Project Success: Leadership Skills to Deliver through TeamsLeadership Skills to Deliver through Teams

Presented by Andrea L. Ames, IBMAndrea L. Ames, IBMSenior Technical Staff Member / Senior Technical Staff Member / Information Experience Strategist & ArchitectInformation Experience Strategist & Architect

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About AndreaTechnical communicator since 1983Areas of expertise

Information architecture and design and interaction design for products and interactive informationInformation and product usability—from analysis through validationUser-centered design and development process

IBM Senior Technical Staff MemberUniversity of CA Extension certificate coordinator and instructorSTC Fellow, past president (2004-05), and past member of Board of Directors (1998-2006)ACM Distinguished Engineer

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Agenda

How successful will you be with your teams?A quizLeadership in teamsDemystifying successful teamingTeam leadership mythsTaking action…as a team leader and a team memberResources

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The question is not…

“Will you participate in something that involves others?”

The question is…“Will your involvement with

others be successful?”

– John Maxwell,The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork

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A quick quiz…1 = Never; 2 = Sometimes; 3 = Always1. I take complete ownership of my

responsibilities.2. I do my job to the best of my ability so my

leader will be able to focus more on the larger challenges my team faces.

3. When my leader suggests a book or resource to me, I usually invest in it.

4. I continually learn from other leaders.5. I believe that everyone is important, but

everyone isn’t equal.

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A quick quiz… (cont.)

1 = Never; 2 = Sometimes; 3 = Always6. I treat each member of the team with respect, because

each person has unique gifts and talents that allow us to be successful.

7. I acknowledge other people’s gifts, skills, and abilities, and encourage them to step forward when our team faces a challenge they can help with.

8. I am developing my leadership skills, so I will be prepared when called upon.

9. When the team faces a challenge, I think in terms of mobilizing people to meet it.

10. My motivation for taking on a leadership role is to help the team.

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How did you do?

24 – 30 This is an area of strength16 – 23 This area might not be hurting you, but it’s not helping, either.10 – 15 This is an area of weakness in your teamwork.

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Leadership in the context of a team

Critical to the success of any project requiring the efforts of more than one person – in other words, any project in today’s work environmentDifficult to describe, even by those who are good at itIs shrouded in mystery and perceived to be an inborn talentCan be learnedIs the edge that separates successful teams from those that aren’t so much

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The mystery of good teams demystified…the 17 Laws (John Maxwell)

SignificanceOne is too small a number to achieve greatness

The Big PictureThe goal is more important than the role

The NicheAll players have a place where they add the most value

Mount EverestAs the challenge escalates, the need for teamwork elevates

The ChainThe strength of the team is impacted by its weakest link

The CatalystWinning teams have players who make things happen

The CompassVision gives team members direction and confidence

The Bad AppleRotten attitudes ruin a team

CountablityTeammates must be able to count on each other when it counts

The Price TagThe team fails to reach its potential when it fails to pay the price

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The mystery of good teams demystified…the 17 Laws, cont. (John Maxwell)

The ScoreboardThe team can make adjustments when it knows where it stands

The BenchGreat teams have great depth

IdentityShared values define the team

CommunicationInteraction fuels action

The EdgeThe difference between two equally talented teams is leadership

High MoraleWhen you’re winning, nothing hurts

DividendsInvesting in the team compounds over time

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The Edge: The difference between two equally talented teams is leadership

The key to success?Personnel determine the potential of the teamVision determines the direction of the teamWork ethic determines the preparation of the teamLeadership determines the success of the team – the difference between two equally talented and prepared teams with the same direction

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Leaders…

See farther than their teammatesSee things more quickly than their teammatesKnow what’s going to happen and anticipate itGet the team moving in the right direction ahead of time

How…?

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Leaders lift teams to new levels by working with people and bringing out their best

Transfer ownership of work to those who do itCreate an environment where team members want to be responsibleBuild capability on the team – project-related andpersonalLearn quickly and encourage others to do soDo things just a little bit better than others doModel team member behavior – become a team member that everyone wants…What?!

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Team leadership is shared and situational

Significant research backs this up!Two myths:

Myth of the Head Table – One person is always in charge in every situationMyth of the Roundtable – Everyone is equal, all opinions count the same, and team can function without leadership

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Myth of the Head Table One person is always in charge in every situation

Challenge of the moment often determines who must leadEvery person on the team has strengths that come into playMore challenge = more need for leadershipThus, the more leaders a team develops, the more edge it has

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Myth of the Roundtable Everyone is equal, all opinions count the same, and team can function without leadership

Everyone is important, but not equalWho is most important?The person in a given area with:

Greatest skillGreatest experienceGreatest productivity

Teams are not democraciesMore like benevolent dictatorships

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Things to consider…and hopefully discuss with your team

How are leaders appointed in my organization?What qualities does a person need to lead my team?How can my organization avoid the Myth of the Head Table and the Myth of the Round Table?What role has leadership played on your teams –successes and setbacks?How are you developing your own leadership skills?What changes do you need to make so yourleader can do her job more effectively?

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Take action!

Acknowledge the value of leadership.Take personal responsibility for your own growth:

Become a better team member.Put yourself on a leadership-development program to become a better team leader.

Find a leadership mentor.

Adding value to you adds value to the team!

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Take personal responsibility for your own growth

Build your brandKnow, manage, and lead yourself

Emotional intelligenceSeven habitsAttitude360-degree leadership

Know your strengthsStrengthsFinder 2.0StandOut

Follow your passionAdd value and articulate itGet a mentor; mentor others; connect!

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The 21 Irrefutable Laws of LeadershipThe Law of The LidDo not limit an organization as others do

The Law of InfluenceHave greater influence than others do

The Law of ProcessValue the process of developing people more than others do

The Law of NavigationPrepare the team for the journey better than others do

The Law of E.F.HuttonCommunicate more effectively than others do

The Law of The Big MoCreate momentum and lift the team to a higher level than others do

The Law of Solid GroundStand on a foundation of trust that is more solid than others

The Law of RespectCommand greater respect than others do

The Law of IntuitionWork on leadership issues earlier than others do

The Law of MagnetismDraw more leaders to themselves than others do

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The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (cont.)

The Law of ConnectionConnect with people better than others do

The Law of The Inner CircleBring stronger key people around them than others do

The Law of ReproductionReproduce more leaders than others do

The Law of VictoryWin with teams more than others do

The Law of Buy-InSell themselves and their vision to a greater degree than others do

The Law of PrioritiesEstablish priorities more effectively than others doUnderstand and use timing more effectively than others do

The Law of SacrificeGive up their personal agendas more than others do

The Law of Explosive GrowthGrow leaders and organizations faster than others do

The Law of LegacyLeave a legacy that lasts longer than others do

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Take a minute to jot down…

What I’m doing to develop better leadership skills:__________________________________People who can help me on my leadership journey:__________________________________My next step on my leadership journey is to:__________________________________

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ResourcesLeadership

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell360-Degree Leadership, John MaxwellPrinciple-Centered Leadership, Stephen CoveyThe 8th Habit, Stephen CoveyLeadership, Tom Peters

TeamingThe 17 Indisputable Laws of Teams, John MaxwellThe Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization, Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith

CommunicationTalking from 9 to 5, Deborah Tannen, Ph.D.Fierce Conversations, Susan ScottCrucial Conversations, Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler

MentoringMentoring 101, John MaxwellPower Mentoring, Ellen Ensher

NetworkingNever Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time, Keith Ferrazzi

Personal developmentThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. CoveyEmotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ, Daniel GolemanAttitude 101, John C. MaxwellStrengthsFinder 2.0, Tom RathStandOut, Marcus Buckingham

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Questions?

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Contacting/following AndreaE-mail: aames@pobox.comTwitter: @aamesFacebook: www.facebook.com/alamesBlog: alamesblog.blogspot.com/

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