Command skills

The ability to take charge with confidence, make tough decisions, and lead others through complexity, conflict, or crisis. It involves maintaining composure under pressure, articulating a clear vision, standing firm when needed, and communicating with authority and conviction.

“When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say.” – Abraham Lincoln

Barriers to command skills

Fearing failure: Leaders who are overly concerned about criticism or failure tend to avoid making bold decisions, which can undermine their authority and effectiveness.

Crises avoidance: Some leaders shy away from crises, preferring to maintain the status quo rather than addressing urgent and difficult situations head-on.

Crafting, creating and communicating a common cause: Effective leaders unite their team around a common goal. Those who struggle to do this may fail to inspire and direct their followers.

Assertiveness: Leaders who cannot make tough decisions or take a firm stand in challenging situations often lose respect and control over their team.

Pressure management: The ability to stay calm and composed in stressful situations is crucial for leadership. Those who are not cool under pressure can create anxiety and instability within their team.

Low credibility: Leaders must be seen as trustworthy and competent. If they lack credibility, their ability to lead effectively is severely compromised.

Overly over concerned for others: Leaders overly worried about being liked or avoiding criticism may hesitate to make necessary but unpopular decisions.

Conflict avoidance: Leaders who avoid conflict tend to sidestep difficult conversations and decisions, which can lead to unresolved issues and a lack of direction.

Low drive: Effective leaders persist through challenges. Those who lack perseverance may give up too easily when faced with obstacles.

Too chilled: Leaders who do not convey a sense of urgency may fail to motivate their team to meet deadlines or achieve goals promptly, leading to missed opportunities and stagnation.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill

Enablers of command skills

Be even more courageous: Accept that leadership involves scrutiny. Develop internal security and ensure you feel good about your decisions. Learn from criticism but remain confident in your path. Reflect regularly and get feedback on this.

Stay firm: Be prepared to take tough stands. Confidence and humility are key. Clearly articulate your stance and rationale, seeking advice for trusted third parties and refine your approach as needed. Identify and address your own hesitations to strengthen your resolve.

Better communicate your ideas: Focus on the outcomes and goals rather than dictating methods. Encourage input and allow others to contribute ideas. Address negative feedback constructively, helping others to feel involved and valued in the process.

Pause and react: Recognise and control your emotional responses. Avoid quick, stress-driven reactions. Instead, ask questions to buy time and understand others’ viewpoints. Maintaining composure can effectively defuse tense situations.

See failure as a learning experience: Adopt a philosophical view of failure. Understand that mistakes are part of the journey to success. Embrace errors as opportunities to learn and improve, knowing that persistence is a hallmark of effective leadership.

Raise your conflict capability: Engage in one-on-one confrontations with objectivity and focus on facts. Listen actively and restate your opponent’s points to ensure understanding. Seek small agreements to move forward and aim to address unresolved issues.

Be decisive: When necessary, decisively address objections and outline clear expectations. If consensus cannot be reached, proceed with confidence and aim to communicate your decisions early, clearly and respectfully.

Wear your crises radar: Anticipate potential crises and develop signal detectors. Gather comprehensive data and plan for worst-case scenarios. As a crisis unfolds, act swiftly based on information available, continuously adjusting and communicating as you move forward.

Expand your boundaries: Consider taking on leadership roles in your community to build confidence and experience. Volunteer for initiatives in your local area, whether in religious, educational, or neighbourhood organisations, to practice and refine your leadership skills.

Raise your gravitas: Cultivate a commanding presence through strong voice, eye contact, and confident demeanour. Invest in presentation skills training and consider your appearance and office setup. Project confidence and problem-solving abilities to be recognised as a leader.

“One person with commitment accomplishes more than a thousand with an opinion.” – Orrin Woodward

Reflection questions on command skills

Reflect on how you typically respond to criticism or failure. Is it appropriate, how could your responses be more effective?

Who in your world is good at taking a tough stand against popular opinion? What can you learn from their approach?

How do you ensure your team understands and supports your vision and goals? How could you raise the alignment.

What techniques do you use to manage your emotional reactions during high-pressure situations? How could you improve this facet of your leadership?

How do you view and handle failure within your leadership journey? What are you go to techniques?

Reflect on the last experience where you effectively resolved a conflict with a team member or peer. How did it go? Could you have done anything better?

Think about a situation where you had to make a difficult decision that not everyone agreed with. How did you handle it? With hindsight, what changes would you have made?

As you look ahead, what potential crises do you seen on the horizon (if any). What can you be doing now, to get ready for these?

What leadership roles or activities do you engage in outside of your workplace? What opportunities could help you become nan even better leader?

If you look back on the last year, what have you been doing to enhance your leadership presence and presentation skills? What could be next?

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” – Douglas MacArthur

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