In Times of Uncertainty & Change, These Leaders Shine
Welcome back to our series comparing anabolic and catabolic leaders. In this article, we continue with a glimpse into how each type of leader approaches everyday circumstances.
Here, you will learn more about:
Catabolic leaders live in crisis mode
Anabolic leaders emphase a team effort
2 Elements of anabolic leadership
2 Different leadership approaches to accountability
Action & accountability at work and beyond
If you missed out on the first two articles in the series, read them here:
Catabolic Leaders Are at Work in Crisis Mode
Does it feel like you’re always putting out fires? I know that’s how I felt way back in 2008!
Today, leaders are stretched thin in ways like never before. Remember 2020 when everything was “unprecedented”? That’s become a way of life now, and everything is more uncertain than ever – in the workplace and around the world…
In times like these, drama, crisis & chaos are pretty much unavoidable. It’s how you, as a leader, respond to these challenges that directly influences the results you achieve and the long-term impact you have.
Crisis mode is the zone where you’re likely to find a catabolic leader operating. They react, putting out fires and dealing with issues as they arise.
The result? Stress. Lack of focus. And a generally non-productive, frenzied workplace. It isn’t often that a catabolic leader thinks about the future; when they do, the wider picture fades into the demands of the moment.
Anabolic Leaders Involve Others for a Supportive Team Effort
In contrast to catabolic leaders, anabolic leaders are all about planning. They have a clear vision of what they want to achieve – and they have a realistic plan to get there.
They share this plan with others to involve them, while participating in the team effort too. An anabolic leader values accountability, so they hold themselves – and others – accountable for doing what they agreed to do.
A Close Look at 2 Elements of Anabolic Leadership
Let’s explore the two components of anabolic leadership:
Having a plan, and
Holding the people involved in executing it accountable
An infamous quote says, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” First, you need a plan with a clear vision of what you want to accomplish.
Yes, that vision is an “ideal” – that’s why it’s important to understand that getting from where you are at this moment to where you want to go may not be possible overnight.
No matter what your vision, you need a roadmap, an action plan. Only after the plan is decided upon does the vital component of accountability come into play. This involves involves helping people keep the commitments they make.
2 Different Leadership Approaches to Accountability
An anabolic leader builds a system of checking in with the people engaged in the plan to ensure they’re taking action. If, for whatever reason, they’re not - this type of leader doesn’t bust out the blame. Instead, he seeks to help the person navigate the obstacles that are hindering progress.
To the catabolic leader, that isn’t even on the radar. If a plan isn’t executed as originally intended (if there was a plan at all), the blame game starts. Because of course, it couldn’t possibily be the catabolic leader who is responsible – or, gasp, at fault…
Action & Accountability in the Workplace and Beyond
In a workplace environment or at home in everyday life, the skills of creating attainable action plans and holding people accountable for carrying them out are incredibly useful.
For example, imagine working with your child to develop a plan to help tackle a heavy school workload. Then, you follow up and engage with them to ensure they’re taking the actions they agreed to…in contrast to scolding them to study the night before final exams.
If you’d like to be more of an anabolic leader, know that learning (and practicing!) these two powerful skills can transform your work – and your world. It doesn’t matter if your skills around creating plans and cultivating accountability are a little rusty – just try it out for a week and I can almost guarantee you will be amazed at the outcome!
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