Inspire a Shared Vision is my lowest-ranked leadership behavior. When
I think of leadership behavior Inspire a Shared Vision, I envision a leader who
can clearly communicate the company’s mission, vision, and values in a way
that motivates employees to work toward a common goal. "Vision is essential
to leadership. Leaders need a clear picture of the future they hope to create.
But what happens when a leader has a vision and can’t get others to share in
it? A leader without followers is just a person taking a walk” Shafer
Leadership Academy). This quote underscores the importance of alignment
between leadership and employees.
If employees do not believe in the company or its leadership, trust
erodes. Without trust, employees lack motivation and may only work for a
paycheck rather than striving for long-term success. This disconnect can lead
to disengagement, high turnover, and poor organizational performance.
Therefore, improving my ability to inspire a shared vision is vital. It requires
not only articulating a compelling future but also connecting that vision to
employees’ personal values and aspirations. When employees see how their
contributions matter, they are more likely to commit to the organization’s
goals.
In contrast, Model the Way is my strongest leadership behavior. This
practice emphasizes leading by example—aligning words with actions and
demonstrating the standards expected of others. For me, credibility is the
cornerstone of leadership. If someone instructs me but is unwilling or unable
to follow their own guidance, I will question their authority and commitment.
“The most important personal quality people look for and admire in a leader
is personal credibility” New Jersey Institute of Technology). When leaders
model the way, they earn trust and respect. Employees are more likely to
follow a leader who demonstrates integrity and consistency, even during
challenging times.
Based on review of the Employee Satisfaction Survey, Model the way is
a behavior the organization’s leadership should focus on improving. Four
years ago, only 39% of employees said they trusted their supervisors; today,
that number has dropped to 24%. This alarming trend indicates a significant
loss of credibility within leadership ranks. To reverse this decline, leaders
must bridge the gap between management and employees by consistently
modeling desired behaviors and maintaining transparency.
The survey also highlights another critical leadership behavior needing
improvement—Encourage the Heart. Recognition and appreciation are
essential for sustaining employee engagement. Unfortunately, the data
shows a 23% decrease in employees feeling appropriately rewarded for
meeting goals. Hard work without acknowledgment is unsustainable;
employees who feel undervalued will eventually disengage.
The decline in trust and recognition has led to lower job satisfaction,
which threatens overall performance. However, improvements in Model the
Way and Encourage the Heart can rebuild trust and create a positive work
environment. When leaders consistently demonstrate credibility and
appreciation, employees feel respected and motivated. Over time, these
changes can strengthen organizational culture, reduce turnover, and
enhance productivity.
Interestingly, the survey shows consistently high scores in providing
value for clients and customers. This success likely stems from strong
performance in Challenge the Process, another key leadership behavior.
Challenging the process involves seeking opportunities for innovation and
growth. In a competitive business environment, adaptability is crucial. The
organization’s ability to evolve in response to industry changes suggests that
some leaders excel in this area, contributing to favorable client outcomes.
References
New Jersey Institute of Technology. (n.d.). Model the way. NJIT Leadership.
https://www.njit.edu/leadership/model-way
PACE OD Consulting. (n.d.). Leaders challenge the process. PACE OD
Consulting Blog. https://www.pace-od.com/blog-post/leaders-challenge-the-
process
Shafer Leadership Academy. (n.d.). Inspire a shared vision. Shafer Leadership
Academy. https://www.shaferleadership.com/inspireasharedvision/
