10 Leadership Virtues for Disruptive Times

Introduction

In a world turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, leadership has taken on new dimensions and challenges. Tom Ziglar's book, "10 Leadership Virtues for Disruptive Times," offers a fresh perspective on how to lead effectively in this new era of remote work and rapid technological change. This book is a roadmap for leaders who want to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace while fostering a positive, productive, and inclusive environment for their teams.

Ziglar introduces the concept of "Coach Leadership," a style that moves away from traditional, authoritarian approaches to management. Instead, it emphasizes empathy, personal growth, and mutual respect. This book is particularly relevant for those leading remote teams, as it addresses the unique challenges of maintaining connection and motivation in a virtual setting.

Let's dive into the key ideas and virtues that Ziglar believes are essential for leadership in these disruptive times.

The New Normal: Adapting to a Changed World

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the way we work and live. What was once considered a luxury – working from home – has become the norm for millions of people worldwide. This shift has brought both opportunities and challenges.

The Rise of Remote Work

The sudden transition to remote work revealed several surprising benefits:

1. Increased productivity: Many workers found they could accomplish more without the distractions of a traditional office environment.
2. Time savings: Eliminating commutes freed up hours each day for work or personal activities.
3. Flexibility: Remote work allowed for better work-life balance and customized schedules.
4. Focus on performance: With less emphasis on office hours, results became the primary measure of success.

However, this new way of working also introduced new stressors:

1. Blurred boundaries: The line between work and personal life became less distinct.
2. Isolation: Some employees struggled with feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
3. Technology challenges: Not everyone had the necessary tools or skills for effective remote work.

The Need for New Leadership Approaches

These changes have necessitated a shift in leadership styles. The old model of a distant, authoritarian boss no longer works in a remote environment. Instead, leaders must adapt to become more empathetic, flexible, and supportive.

Ziglar's Coach Leadership model is designed to address these new realities. It emphasizes virtues like kindness, humility, and respect – qualities that are essential for building trust and maintaining team cohesion in a virtual setting.

Creating a Positive Atmosphere: The Foundation of Effective Leadership

Before delving into specific leadership virtues, Ziglar stresses the importance of creating the right atmosphere for your team. This is especially crucial in a remote work environment where physical cues and casual interactions are limited.

Fostering Inclusivity

One of the key principles of Coach Leadership is shifting from an "I and Me" mentality to an "Us and We" approach. This means:

1. Ensuring all team members feel valued and heard, especially in virtual meetings.
2. Actively seeking input from everyone, not just the most vocal participants.
3. Emphasizing collective achievements rather than individual accomplishments.

Prioritizing Growth Over Results

While results are important, Coach Leaders focus more on personal and professional growth:

1. They take time to understand each team member's unique personality and communication style.
2. They tailor their approach to suit individual needs and preferences.
3. They encourage a holistic view of success, considering not just career achievements but also personal well-being, family life, and spiritual health.

Creating a Nurturing Environment

In a remote setting, it's easy for team members to feel isolated or disconnected. Coach Leaders combat this by:

1. Regularly checking in with team members on a personal level.
2. Organizing virtual team-building activities.
3. Encouraging open communication and creating safe spaces for sharing concerns.

By focusing on these foundational elements, leaders can create an atmosphere that supports productivity, creativity, and personal growth, even in a distributed work environment.

Selflessness: The Heart of Coach Leadership

Selflessness is a cornerstone of effective leadership, especially in challenging times. It's about putting the needs of your team before your own and finding joy in their success.

Active Listening and Open Dialogue

Selfless leaders prioritize understanding their team members:

1. They practice active listening, giving their full attention during conversations.
2. They ask open-ended questions to encourage deeper sharing.
3. They maintain a non-judgmental attitude, creating a safe space for honest communication.

Humility in Leadership

A selfless leader is not afraid to:

1. Admit mistakes and take responsibility for errors.
2. Learn from others, regardless of their position in the organization.
3. Give credit where it's due, celebrating team members' achievements.

Understanding Motivations

To truly serve their team, selfless leaders dig deep to understand what drives each individual:

1. They ask probing "why" questions to uncover core motivations.
2. They consider personal goals beyond just career aspirations, such as family and legacy.
3. They use this understanding to provide meaningful support and guidance.

Balancing Selflessness with Leadership

Being selfless doesn't mean being a pushover. Effective leaders still:

1. Set clear goals and expectations for their team.
2. Make tough decisions when necessary.
3. Hold team members accountable for their responsibilities.

The key is to do these things with empathy and a genuine desire to see others succeed.

Respect: The Foundation of Trust

Respect is a fundamental virtue in Coach Leadership. It's not about demanding respect from others, but rather about consistently showing respect to everyone on your team.

Creating a Culture of Respect

A respectful leader:

1. Listens attentively to all team members, regardless of their position.
2. Values diverse perspectives and encourages the sharing of different ideas.
3. Guides discussions with thoughtful questions rather than imposing their own views.

Celebrating Achievements

In a respectful environment:

1. Every win, no matter how small, is acknowledged and celebrated.
2. Team members feel comfortable sharing their successes without fear of being seen as boastful.
3. Leaders actively look for opportunities to recognize and praise good work.

Eliminating Toxic Behaviors

Respect in the workplace means:

1. Zero tolerance for gossip or backstabbing.
2. Addressing conflicts directly and professionally.
3. Encouraging open, honest communication instead of behind-the-scenes complaining.

Making Meetings Matter

Respectful leaders transform team meetings by:

1. Ensuring every voice is heard and valued.
2. Creating a safe space for sharing ideas and concerns.
3. Following up on suggestions and feedback to show they're taken seriously.

Building Respect Through Small Actions

Cultivating a culture of respect often starts with small, consistent actions:

1. Showing appreciation for team members' efforts.
2. Being fully present during interactions, whether in person or virtual.
3. Following through on commitments and promises.

Self-Respect as a Foundation

Leaders who respect themselves are better equipped to respect others:

1. They maintain high personal standards of integrity and professionalism.
2. They set healthy boundaries and model work-life balance.
3. They're confident in their abilities while remaining open to growth and feedback.

By consistently demonstrating respect, leaders create an environment of trust and collaboration that can thrive even in remote or challenging circumstances.

Self-Control: The Key to Composed Leadership

Self-control is a crucial virtue for leaders, especially in high-pressure situations or when dealing with remote teams where misunderstandings can easily arise.

Responding vs. Reacting

Leaders with strong self-control:

1. Take a moment to breathe and think before responding to challenging situations.
2. Consider the long-term consequences of their actions rather than giving in to immediate impulses.
3. Ask themselves reflective questions like, "Would a secure person say or do this?"

Developing a Strong Internal Narrative

Self-control is rooted in:

1. A clear sense of personal values and beliefs.
2. A strong understanding of one's purpose as a leader.
3. A genuine desire to serve and support others.

The Impact of Self-Control

When leaders demonstrate self-control:

1. They create a calmer, more professional work environment.
2. They inspire trust and respect from their team members.
3. They set a positive example that others are likely to follow.

Practicing Self-Control

To develop this virtue:

1. Keep a journal to reflect on challenging situations and your responses to them.
2. Practice mindfulness techniques to stay present and aware of your emotions.
3. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues on how you handle high-pressure situations.

Self-control allows leaders to make better decisions, maintain consistency, and build trust with their team, even when working remotely or facing unexpected challenges.

Positive Leadership: Inspiring Through Optimism

Positivity is a powerful tool in a leader's arsenal, especially during times of change or uncertainty. Positive leaders have the ability to motivate their teams and turn challenges into opportunities.

The Power of a Positive Mindset

Positive leaders:

1. See obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning.
2. Maintain optimism even in the face of setbacks.
3. Inspire their teams by focusing on possibilities rather than limitations.

Cultivating Personal Positivity

To develop a positive leadership style:

1. Practice gratitude daily, focusing on what's going well.
2. Reframe negative situations to find the potential benefits or lessons.
3. Celebrate small wins and progress, not just major achievements.

Spreading Positivity to Your Team

Positive leaders:

1. Encourage open communication and active listening.
2. Guide team members to see challenges from a more optimistic perspective.
3. Create an environment where creativity and innovation can flourish.

Positivity as a Strategic Tool

In the face of technological disruptions and rapid change, positivity becomes a crucial survival skill:

1. It helps teams adapt more quickly to new situations.
2. It fosters resilience in the face of setbacks.
3. It encourages proactive problem-solving rather than reactive complaining.

Encouraging Positivity in Leadership Above

Positive leadership should extend upward as well:

1. Share success stories with upper management to demonstrate the power of positivity.
2. Encourage a positive, growth-oriented culture throughout the organization.
3. Be a role model of positivity for both your team and your superiors.

By embracing and spreading positivity, leaders can create a more engaged, productive, and resilient team, capable of thriving even in disruptive times.

Perseverance: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Perseverance is the ability to keep moving forward in the face of obstacles, setbacks, and failures. It's a crucial virtue for leaders, especially in times of rapid change and uncertainty.

Reframing Obstacles

Perseverant leaders:

1. View challenges as pit stops on a grand adventure rather than roadblocks.
2. Use setbacks as opportunities to gather strength and wisdom.
3. Maintain a long-term perspective, seeing beyond immediate difficulties.

The Components of Perseverance

True perseverance is more than just stubbornness. It's a combination of:

1. Passion: A deep commitment to your goals and vision.
2. Patience: Understanding that meaningful change takes time.
3. Adaptability: The willingness to adjust your approach when necessary.

Strategies for Cultivating Perseverance

To develop this virtue:

1. Clarify your goals: Having a clear vision makes it easier to persist through challenges.
2. Establish routines: Create habits that keep you moving forward, even when motivation wanes.
3. Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge progress along the way to maintain momentum.
4. Break big challenges into smaller steps: Focus on achieving that next 1% improvement.
5. Stay flexible: Be willing to pivot and try new approaches when faced with persistent obstacles.

Leading with Perseverance

When leading a team, especially remotely:

1. Communicate your vision clearly and consistently.
2. Share stories of perseverance to inspire and motivate.
3. Provide support and encouragement during tough times.
4. Recognize and celebrate the perseverance of team members.

By embodying and encouraging perseverance, leaders can help their teams navigate challenges, adapt to change, and achieve long-term success.

Love: The Unexpected Leadership Virtue

In the context of leadership, love isn't about romantic feelings, but rather a genuine care and concern for the well-being and success of your team members.

The Power of Love in Leadership

Leaders who lead with love:

1. Create stronger, more loyal teams.
2. Foster an environment of trust and open communication.
3. Inspire their team members to give their best effort.

Practicing Love in Leadership

To incorporate love into your leadership style:

1. Show genuine interest in your team members' lives and well-being.
2. Offer support and understanding during personal challenges.
3. Celebrate personal milestones and achievements, not just work-related ones.
4. Provide opportunities for growth and development.

Love in a Remote Work Environment

In a virtual setting, showing love as a leader might involve:

1. Regular check-ins that go beyond work tasks to ask about personal well-being.
2. Sending personalized messages or small gifts to show appreciation.
3. Creating virtual spaces for team bonding and casual interaction.
4. Being flexible and understanding about work-life balance issues.

The Impact of Love on Team Performance

When team members feel genuinely cared for:

1. They're more likely to go above and beyond in their work.
2. They feel safer taking risks and sharing innovative ideas.
3. They're more resilient in the face of challenges.
4. They're more likely to stay with the organization long-term.

By making love a cornerstone of their leadership approach, leaders can create a work environment that not only achieves results but also nurtures and empowers every team member.

Final Thoughts: The Coach Leader in Action

As we've explored the various virtues of Coach Leadership, it's clear that this approach is particularly well-suited to the challenges of leading in disruptive times, especially when managing remote teams.

Adapting to the New Normal

The shift to remote work has highlighted the need for leaders who can:

1. Create a sense of connection and belonging in a virtual environment.
2. Maintain team motivation and engagement without physical presence.
3. Navigate the blurred lines between work and personal life.

Coach Leaders, with their emphasis on empathy, communication, and personal growth, are well-equipped to meet these challenges.

The Interconnected Virtues

While we've discussed each virtue separately, in practice, they work together synergistically:

1. Selflessness and respect form the foundation of trust.
2. Self-control and positivity help navigate challenging situations.
3. Perseverance and love drive long-term success and team loyalty.

Beyond Management: Creating a Legacy

Coach Leadership is about more than just achieving short-term goals or managing day-to-day operations. It's about:

1. Nurturing the potential in every team member.
2. Creating a positive, growth-oriented culture that can weather any storm.
3. Leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those you lead.

The Ongoing Journey of Leadership

Becoming a Coach Leader is not a destination, but a continuous journey of growth and learning. It requires:

1. Constant self-reflection and a willingness to change.
2. Openness to feedback from your team and peers.
3. A commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.

A Call to Action

In these disruptive times, there's a pressing need for leaders who can inspire, motivate, and guide their teams through uncertainty. By embracing the virtues of Coach Leadership – selflessness, respect, self-control, positivity, perseverance, and love – you can become the kind of leader who not only achieves results but also transforms lives.

As you move forward in your leadership journey, remember that every interaction, every decision, and every challenge is an opportunity to embody these virtues and make a positive impact. Whether you're leading a small remote team or a large organization, the principles of Coach Leadership can help you navigate the complexities of the modern workplace and create a thriving, resilient team ready to face whatever disruptions may come.

In the end, great leadership isn't just about what you achieve – it's about who you become and how you influence others along the way. By striving to embody these ten leadership virtues, you're not just leading a team; you're creating a legacy that will continue to inspire and empower long after your tenure is over.