Setting the Mood

Leaders at all levels set the mood

Leadership is about many things. One of the most important is..... setting the mood. Leaders do this sub-consciously by their behaviour, reactions and by their own sense of what's right (and wrong). They also do it consciously by being the example that they want people to follow. Leaders set the mood. Every meeting, every interaction, every day, every week.

The reason that it's so important? As much as vision statements and values help explain what an organisation wants to achieve... what and how. It's the behaviours of the leaders that more effectively spreads the word. .... because behaviours are contagious.

Leaders at all levels set the tone. How leaders are with people, with customers, with visitors sets the example of how everyone should be. An organisation with a positive mental attitude and an open positive outlook will invariably be led by a leader whose answer to the first question of the day.... how are you? .... will invariably be "fantastic" .... that first interaction sets the tone.

A great leader puts people and/or customers first in their approach and interactions. Someone who embraces the chance to get out and meet customers, or just spends time to talk to people, will set the direction expected for all the teams. Conversely, leaders who avoid customer interaction, hide behand screens, or sit in their office everyday should not be surprised if the organisation mirrors their behaviour - despite what they say or what's written in the values statements pinned to the wall.

Leaders who are risk averse, overly careful, analytical above all else, with a culture infused with meetings and discussion, will breed a culture that mirrors their approach; slow, thoughtful, trepidatious, and sequential. Now that maybe appropriate in some situations. But crippling in many others.

Whatever the qualities, technical know-how or past successes that a leader has, the way that they intuitively behave sets the tone and the rhythm for an organisation.

Choosing a good leader who will set an example, can be the first step to building, changing or reinforcing a positive culture. However, appointing or supporting a leader who does not resonate with the culture of an organisation can introduce unwanted inbuilt friction into the dynamic of a successful business.

Setting the mood? ..... choose carefully.