Micro-interventions

Individual improvement

Taking the lead is a form of connected leadership. It is not about function or role. It simply means that you are the first individual taking action in order to anticipate or react to challenging situations, such as uncertainty, risks or issues that block achieving the team objective.

Three competences are a prerequisite for taking the lead: calm alertness, forward thinking and swift deliberate action.

This requires overview (who, what/when), insight (what is the proper action) and a clear line of sight (objective and blocking issues).

Team improvement

Make sure all team members share a common view on the next steps, interdependencies and cohesion of the deliverables of the group.

Know your communication and decision flow

Stimulate ‘pacing en leading’ and communicate that this a part of the group culture.

Other interventions

• Emphasize interdependencies during the discussion of topics
• Give positive feedback when people take the lead

Use methods for :

• Defining work packages
• Visualizing interdependencies

Take the lead

If it is necessary each of us takes a leading role

Who takes the lead when challenging situations require action? In Agile teams there  is only one answer to this question: The first person who is aware of it. Especially in complex or dynamic environments it is important to take initiative in order to minimize risks and sustain a natural workflow. (Source: Ruysdael research on connected leadership)