In Systems We Trust – Do You Have a Leadership System?

By Michelle Malay Carter on March 25, 2008 

mcdonalds.jpg

Humans Find Consistency Comforting
It’s often been said that McDonalds is the world’s most prolific food chain not because of its haute menu, but because of the consistent experience it offers its patrons. That consistent experience is achieved through systems. Would you like fries with that fact?

Managerial Leadership Systems And Employee Engagement
Research shows the number one driver of employee engagement is one’s relationship with his manager, and employee engagement is currently at 21%.

It stands to reason that to increase engagement, we need to put some serious thought into our managerial leadership systems – not piecemeal programs, processes, and policies but rather an integrated total system for managerial leadership.

It’s time to upgrade the level of sophistication of our leadership systems.

The History of Quality Control – From Piecemeal to Total System
Quality control has migrated from end of line inspection to -> in process inspection to -> statistical quality control to -> total quality management with Deming and the Japanese shaming the US into following along.

Who Will Lead the Leadership Movement?
Time will only tell who will lead the way and who will follow along as Integrated Leadership Systems create a competitive advantage for those with eyes to see. This blog pulls a fair amount of eyes from India.

I’m OK. You’re OK. Let’s fix the system.

Do your leadership systems induce trust and fairness through consistency or do they breed cynicism and confusion through lack of integration?

Filed Under Corporate Values, Employee Engagement, Executive Leadership, Managerial Leadership, Organization Design, Requisite Organization, Strategy, Talent Management

Comments

2 Responses to “In Systems We Trust – Do You Have a Leadership System?”

  1. Glenn Mehltretter on March 28th, 2008 8:19 am

    I was in India several years ago with our friend and associate Dr. Herb Koplowitz. We were speaking to managers about management systems. Herb speaks some Hindi and made an interesting discovery. In Hindi there is a verb tense that means “to get someone to do something”. So in one sense managerial hierarchy is built into the language. It doesn’t stop there. There is also a tense that means “to get someone to get someone to do something.”

    I would be interested in any amplification of this from your Indian readers.

    Glenn

  2. Michelle Malay Carter on March 31st, 2008 8:34 am

    Hi Glenn,

    More cultural implications I see.

    Michelle