Leadership VED Principle

Leadership Principle – V.E.D.
 

“The truth is that no one factor makes a company admirable.  But if you were forced to pick the one that makes the most difference, you’d pick leadership.”

(Warren Bennis 1998)

Leadership – one of the great enigmas in the modern world.  Everyone has their own view and opinion of what it is, and what it isn’t.

In truth, there’s very little that we don’t actually know about leadership.  It has to be one of the most researched areas in business, being  highly prized in any organisation, as identified by Bennis all those years ago.

If you enter ‘leadership’ in your search engine you will see many, many books, courses and hundreds of definitions; as well as many ‘Top ten attributes…’,’The definitive list of leadership behaviours…’, ‘The Top 5 things all leaders must have….’, etc., etc.  The majority of this information will contain the same core values, attributes and behaviours – but each one claiming that theirs is the ‘best’ or 'the definitive' description.  I don't claim this in this blog, just

Most leadership theories and models, or our study and understanding of them, can be traced back to early or mid 20^th Century research by the classical behavioural, sociology and leadership theorists.  Their original concept is usually given a modern twist or adapted using current business terminology, and then sold as ‘the’ new idea.  As I explain to many of my delegates on the leadership programmes I run - there is nothing new out there - it just seems new because it’s probably the first time you’ve seen or heard it.  The problem with leadership is – it’s gaining agreement on what it actually is.

Having studied leadership for many years, as well as developing leaders, whether through programmes, executive coaching and managing talent, for example, for me there are three key things that I believe define a leader.

The three areas of focus I use is called the VED Principle.

I like it because it’s simple, easy to understand and is not a ‘pretentious’ list of the top 5, 10, 12 or 20 things, (which at times serves only to confuse).   Through its simplicity, I believe that it encapsulates as much explanation as is needed for leadership; and these are the three key benchmarks that I use for either potential or established leadership.

VED Principle

• Vison

All leaders have vision.  Vision can take on many forms and varying degrees, but it’s one of the key factors that sets aside a leader.

• Engagement

Engagement involves many facets, but includes the interpersonal and communication aspects that separate leaders from those who follow.

• Deliver

Leaders deliver on their vision – or get others to deliver.

View VED as like a three-circle Venn diagram representation, it is not a list but each is interdependent.

Here are two simple examples to highlight the holistic nature of VED.

Examples

The Explorer: to reach the North Pole.....

They have the ‘dream’ or the ‘vision’ to the be the first to do this: single-handedly, without aid, barefoot, in flippers, in fancy dress, using , etc.  Having the vision they are then able to engage with others: to get a team together, to get sponsorship, to get commitment, loyalty, following…..   They then reach the North Pole (or do their best not be defeated or give up), as they are fully committed to the delivery of the dream or vision.

Team Leader: to be the best

Another example is that of a team leader, who wants their department to be the best (vision).  He or she is able to communicate and engage with their team to ensure that the team is fully committed to be the best.  With the team leader’s positive vision and active engagement the team eventually become the best (deliver).

If you think of any leader – corporate, historic , present, personal – and you will see these three vital components evident in what they do and how they act.

So for me, the ‘Top 5…’, ‘Most important…..’, ‘Can’t do without…’ lists for leadership are good – but the VED Leadership Principle provides the essential three-point leadership framework which forms the basis of any potential or established leader.

Note about the Blog's Author

John Smart is the Director of PMR Training and Development Ltd; he conducts courses internationally in Leadership, Management, Talent and Performance Management, Customer Leadership, Coaching, as well as consults on OD/Development Strategy to many organizations.  He is also the author of 'PROUD - Achieving Customer Service Excellence.', and delivers course in the 'PROUD Principle', aligned to excellent customer service.

 

He runs courses on the topic in this blog, 'Leadership Principles: Leadership in the 21st Century', as well as 'Leading through VUCA'.

 

For more details please visit the company website: www.pmrtraining.co.uk