The LEAD NOW!

Model helps you to identify behaviors that you need to improve. First, identify your focus areas. Define gaps between your capabilities to- day and where you hope to be in the future. Closing the gap involves either leverag- ing a strength or overcoming a deficiency.

The model’s four quadrants describe well rounded leadership: • Quadrant 1: Create purpose (Externally Focused Business Results). A leader is responsible for defining the group’s vision and strategy. Creating Purpose identifies what the organization stands for, what it is going to do, and how it is positioned in the marketplace. This involves studying the competition, knowing the customer, analyzing industry trends, setting strategy, and communicating effectively to others. • Quadrant 2: Deliver excellence (Inter-

nally Focused Business Results). A leader is responsible for deliver- ing operational excellence— translating the strategy into day-to-day execu- tion. This involves clear decision making, the ability to build consistent and measurable process- es, continuous improve- ment, and behaving with integrity. • Quadrant 3: Develop self and others (Internally Focused People Results).

Leaders must value learning. This involves seeking personal improvement oppor- tunities, building and managing team dynamics, honing technical expertise, managing time, coaching and develop- ing others, and managing ego. • Quadrant 4: Lead Change (Externally Focused People Results). Leaders are respon- sible for creating and championing beneficial change efforts. This involves influencing key decision makers, sponsoring change projects, empowering stakeholders, encouraging innovation, managing resistance, and making change stick.

Determine which of the four quadrants is most relevant for either leveraging a strength or improving a weakness. Then, identify the dimension that applies. Pro- gress in the dimension directly impacts your success in the entire quadrant.

By using the LEAD NOW! coaching model, you can greatly improve your capacity to lead and achieve. LE

John Parker Stewart is author of LEAD NOW! A Personal Coaching Guide for Results-driven Leaders