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Are You a SAVVY Leader?
by Mike Van Hoozer
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Many times, we refer to people who have risen to levels of leadership in an organization as being "savvy." The word "savvy" can mean "shrewdness" and often is used in a negative way to refer to someone who climbs his or her way to the top based on being
politically savvy and leaving a wake of bodies behind. "Savvy" can also have a positive connotation with meanings such as "well-informed, perceptive, and having practical know-how." Reflecting on the positive context of the word "savvy", there are five characteristics of leadership that the most effective and perceptive leaders possess. Are you a S-A-V-V-Y leader?
- S – Sincerity
- A – Authentic
- V – Values-Driven
- V – Vulnerable
- Y – Yearning
Sincere
Sincere leaders are honest and genuine. They are consistent in what they say and what they do. Their deeds match their words, and this behavior flows out of their character. People appreciate a sincere leader, because they know that this type of leader is concerned about the development of the people around them. A follower can accept praise and constructive feedback knowing that the leader is sharing it from a caring heart.
Authentic
Authentic leaders are worthy of trust. They are real. They are believable and exhibit belief in others. Their relationships, both personal and professional, are richer because they are built upon a strong and genuine foundation. Authentic leaders allow you to learn from their successes and failures. Leaders who are not authentic never mention their failures or the fact that they are not perfect. The antithesis of this type of leader is a charismatic leader who is more concerned about performance and persona than being true to self and others.
Values-Driven
Leaders who have values and live those values in all areas of their life provide consistency for those who follow them. Values such as integrity, honesty, fairness, and mutual respect can energize not only the leader, but also the people around him or her. The key point is that the leader not only espouses the values but also demonstrates the values with his or her life.
Vulnerable
This quality is not often associated with bold, confident leaders, but it is a crucial quality for an effective leader. A leader who exhibits vulnerability can create a powerful environment where production and effectiveness are promoted over being personally indispensable. A leader who is vulnerable is mistakenly assumed to be uncertain or lacking in confidence. Actually, a leader who demonstrates vulnerability shows a high level of self-confidence by the mere fact that they are willing to listen to the thoughts and opinions of others. Jim Collins recently conducted a study on effective decision-making within organizations. The research showed that great decisions begin with an honest and sincere approach to being vulnerable and saying things like “I don’t know” and “What do you think?” Obviously, a leader must make decisions, but the scales are often weighted toward the leader’s own thoughts and ideas with little or no regard for the opinions of others.
Yearning
Leaders who have a yearning possess passion and desire. They see the world not as it is but as it should be. They view people not as they are but as they could be. They spot potential and long to develop it. The word yearning evokes a strong feeling, not just a passing fancy or impersonal goal. Leaders who possess this quality have a strong, pressing desire to make a difference in the world. They use phrases such as “I must do this” and “I will do this” instead of “I could do this” or “I’ll try to do this.”
Final Thought
All of the characteristics of being a SAVVY leader deal with strategy and execution, words and deeds, espousing and exhibiting. As Ralph Waldo Emerson so eloquently said, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” May we always find what we espouse match consistently with what we say, and may these things be based on a true and solid foundation. To paraphrase the great Emerson: May what we do provide perfect harmony with what we say, thereby creating a crescendo of consistency in our lives.
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