Working with People & Systems

The ability to bring value to any situation is in being able to look at what's already present, ask the question "What's missing here?" and then supply it.

The table below illustrates the four main disciplines that I bring to working with people and systems alike:

Directing	Analyzing
Promoting	Supporting

Directing

I see Directing as the act of aligning and channeling the focus and energy of a group. This is a skill that I use on a daily basis and one which, when used well, can be the single biggest factor to the success or failure of a team. It is also potentially one of the most dangerous. If used poorly it can rob a team of its morale very quickly.

Promoting

Promoting is something we generally think of in terms of people and positions. This is not just the formal act of moving someone up the ladder, but also of making sure others know the value of an individual to the group. Promoting people can make the difference between people remaining committed to a group or not, as well getting the right people into the right positions.

Analyzing

As someone for whom being analytical comes naturally, I am surprised what a precious commodity this can sometimes be. I often find that I am working with a group of doers with a 'bias for action'. This can lead to energy wasted going off in the wrong direction if there is not someone who can ask the right questions and put some thought into where we go before we rally the troops and lead the charge.

Supporting

We all get our opportunity to use this approach, but some people don't see it as an opportunity. Support roles are sometimes seen as 'lesser' roles within the organizational community. I have noticed that all the best leaders that I have either encountered or heard of regularly took the approach of supporter, not as a sideline to what they did, but as a central part of how they lead. The ability to support the work of others is one of the most essential tools to any organization.