Leadership in the workplace: Be a landscape architect

Posted: September 21, 2011 - 1:01am

Have you ever watched a landscape architect take an ordinary piece of land and turn it into something so beautiful you love to just be there?

The architect had a vision of what he/she wanted to achieve. To achieve the goal, a plan was created. The ground was prepared, seeds and plants were acquired. Proper irrigation was designed to maintain the finished garden.

Through all of this, the architect accepted the fact that hard work would be needed to achieve the look and feel to make the vision happen.

A true leader is also landscape architect. The leader’s primary job is to create a living environment called “culture.” Culture is the fabric of any enterprise. Today’s leader is a master “crafter.” He/she sculpts and shapes an environment that stimulates and invites people to be the best they can be.

The architect leader knows the ability to create a nourishing and challenging environment for people to grow is more important than any technical skill he/she can possess. You are probably asking, “How do I become a architect leader?” Here are some traits you need to possess:

Think outside the box and be creative. Most people in the workplace think reactively. They take action to make something (a problem) go away or ask what’s wrong or who’s to blame.

The creative thinkers ask what’s possible. and, after achieving the positive result, ask what else is possible.

“A business has to be involving, it has to be fun and it has to exercise your creative instincts,” wrote Richard Branson, an English business tycoon and founder of Virgin Air and 400 other businesses.

Understand the impact of “change.” The leader must understand the process and how it affects his/her employees.

Most Americans do not like change, despite what they say, because they fear the change will negatively affect them and move them out of their comfort zones. A leader knows how to move people from their comfort zones with dignity and respect.

Embrace the “continuous improvement” way of leading. The leader should regularly challenge old beliefs or ways of doing things. A good leader is passionate about learning and applies this learning in the workplace.

Coach, not command. A leader needs to allow his/her people to do their job within the established rules and procedures. The leader is there to help employees turn work experiences into learning experiences.

Be a visionary. A leader is responsible for a vision and to focus the effort of the team to achieve it.

Act with integrity. Be honest and do the right thing.

Work with a sense of urgency. A leader understands and practices time management. I used to tell people “be brief, be bright and be gone.” This is not intended to show disrespect toward them but to teach them that time is one of our most important commodities. We must not waste it.

Show appreciation and recognize those who act, not react. Your team is the most valuable resource you have. They make success happen, so treat them with respect and dignity.

Act decisively. Do what it takes to make success happen. Observe and learn the methods of other successful leaders but use what works best for you. Be consistent in your actions.

Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is part of leadership process. A leader can not expect to be always right, and sometimes events create a situation where failure will result. I would tell my team, “If you fail, fall forward and get up and try again.”

Finally, “get in the wheelbarrow.” The team succeeds or fails together. It’s a partnership. All people must know that everyone, including the leader, is in this together. The team must understand the leaders’ success is linked to their positive action and efforts.

Embracing the above traits is a good start to becoming a landscape architect and good leader.

Chuck St. Arnaud is the past chairman and CEO of Systems Connect and a retired brigadier general, U.S. Army. He can be contacted by email at chuck@sysconn.com.

Up to 46% off subscriptions to the Savannah Morning News

Recent comments

BiS Local Business Directory

Connect with savannahnow.com