Previous Post: Four Competencies Shared meaning
In his book, On Becoming a Leader, Warren Bennis identifies four essential competencies. The first is that:
1. Leaders are able to engage others by creating shared meaning.
His second essential competency is that:
2. Leaders have a distinctive voice.
A distinctive voice means that a message of vision, direction, change, focus and commitment has a familiar sound to it--like sheep knowing the shepherd's voice. Bennis includes the qualities of emotional intelligence, a purpose, self confidence and a sense of self in what comprises "voice." Perhaps put another way, voice is a personalized comprehension by the leader and the followers/team members of what the what, why and how of the leader's personal drive and commitment. It would seem that voice comes before a shared meaning. A leader with a "voice" is able to articulate a passionate, personal emotional investment in a cause that resonates with people and conveys a sense of the leader's willingness for personal sacrifice, deep belief and sincerity. A distinctive voice communicates a shared meaning and creates trust.
Good managers don't need a distinctive voice. Effective leaders do. In fact a distinctive voice of a manager may interfere with managing. The voice of a manager is found in the policies, procedures, standards and commonly agreed upon ways of doing business. As Bennis points out later, management is necessary to assure deadlines are met, budgets are conformed to, reports are written and staff meetings are attended. That is all the work of complying with the voice of management--a necessary voice in any well run enterprise including ministries but it is at polar opposites to leadership.
A distinctive voice gives personality to vision--an essential competency for leading.
Next Post: Essential Competencies--All leaders must have Integrity.
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