Last week, Keith Ferrazzi spoke at Tony Robbins’s Leadership Academy, a 4-day workshop. He is a thought leader in the areas of relationship development, networking, and collaboration.
In his book "Leading Without Authority: How the New Power of Co-Elevation Can Break Down Silos, Transform Teams, and Reinvent Collaboration", Keith introduces the concept of "co-elevation," a leadership philosophy where everyone, irrespective of their rank in the organization, works together to elevate each other's work, performance, and lives. Here is the summary of five key principles and three possible action items that I think you can implement in your business. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy and deep dive on them.
1. Co-elevation: This principle suggests that a team of people should strive to lift each other up, regardless of their organizational position or official power. It's a shift from a command-and-control leadership style to a more collaborative one where everyone feels they have a stake in the collective outcome.
Action items:
a) Foster a Culture of Mutual Support: This is the starting point for co-elevation. Leaders should encourage team members to not only focus on their individual tasks but also actively support each other. This could include sharing resources, providing feedback, or helping colleagues overcome obstacles. It requires building a culture where everyone understands that when one person succeeds, the entire team does.
b) Establish Clear, Shared Goals: To effectively implement co-elevation, the entire team needs to be aligned on their shared mission or objective. Having clear, shared goals ensures that everyone understands what they're working towards and how their individual roles contribute to the larger picture. Regularly communicate and revisit these goals to ensure they remain relevant and clear.
c) Promote Transparency and Open Communication: Co-elevation requires high levels of trust among team members, and transparency is key to building that trust. Encourage open communication where team members can share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns freely. This could also involve setting up regular check-ins or creating safe spaces for team members to express their thoughts and feelings.
2. Redefining Teams: Teams are no longer just people who share the same manager. Instead, teams can be any group of individuals working towards a common goal. It's possible, and even beneficial, to build teams with individuals across different departments, job roles, and even outside the organization.
Action Items:
a) Cross-Functional Collaboration: Encourage employees to work with people from different departments or roles. This can lead to fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. Set up regular cross-departmental meetings or initiatives to foster this collaboration.
b) Networking: Promote a culture of networking within the organization. This can help employees find potential team members with the skills or knowledge needed to achieve their objectives.
c) Open to External Collaboration: Consider collaborating with individuals outside the organization. This can include clients, vendors, or industry experts. They can bring unique insights and can be part of the broader team.
3. New Mindset: Ferrazzi argues that the most successful leaders are those who can establish a 'service mindset'. They should work to serve their team members, peers, and customers and consider them as partners. This also involves building deep, authentic relationships and mutual accountability.
Action Items:
a) Servant leadership: Embrace a servant leadership style. This means focusing on the growth and wellbeing of your team members and empowering them to perform at their best.
b) Relationship Building: Dedicate time and effort to building authentic relationships with your team. This can include regular one-on-one meetings, team-building activities, and creating a safe and open environment for communication.
c) Mutual Accountability: Establish a culture of mutual accountability. When team members feel accountable to each other, they are more likely to work towards the shared goal and help each other succeed.
4. Constant Connection and Communication: The book highlights the importance of maintaining a constant, open line of communication. It's not just about sharing information, but also about creating a sense of belonging and mutual support.
Action Items:
a) Regular Check-ins: Set up regular check-ins with your team members to discuss their progress, challenges, and provide support. This can be done on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on the needs of the team.
b) Transparent Communication: Maintain transparency in communication. Be honest and open about the team's progress, challenges, and successes. This encourages trust and open dialogue.
c) Open Channels for Communication: Use communication tools that encourage open conversation and collaboration. This can include digital tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams, which allow for instant communication and collaboration.
5. Resilience and Adaptability: As organizations become more complex, and as the pace of change accelerates, leaders must become more resilient and adaptable. They must embrace change, be willing to pivot when necessary, and foster these traits in their teams.
Action items:
a) Foster a Growth Mindset: Encourage a growth mindset within the team, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning and growth rather than as setbacks.
b) Provide Resources for Adaptability: Provide resources and training that can help team members adapt to new situations or changes. This could be training in new technologies, or resources on dealing with change.
c) Celebrate Resilience: Acknowledge and celebrate instances where team members demonstrate resilience and adaptability. This can motivate others to develop these traits.
In summary, Keith's book “Leading Without Authority" provides a guide for a more collaborative, transparent, and mutually supportive way of working that can drive innovation, productivity, and employee satisfaction. This book is helpful for anyone who wants to develop advanced leadership skills in both business and personal lives. I highly recommend that you pick up one and read it. Here is the link you can use to get it from Amazon.
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