Modern Business Magazine March 2016 | Page 53

MODERN BUSINESS customer experience and an associated set of values that enable people to share a bigger picture than the business unit agendas of their siloed counterparts. Share the Reality Second is an adaptive and emotionally intelligent style of leadership that minimises the protective and defensive behaviours that stifle open challenging and feedback. In a volatile and disruptive world it is essential to create a culture where people share the reality, not avoid and deny. Share the Air Third is the sharing of ideas, opportunities and breakthroughs that rarely come from inside silos, but instead from people with diverse skills, styles and experiences. New technologies are a brilliant way to add even more oxygen so that people really share the air. Share the Load Fourth is resource allocation, which means joint prioritising and a principle that Think One Team call ‘One person accountable, multiple people responsible’. This provides the authority to lead and the responsibility to engage with and support colleagues, and it’s a key to sharing the load across complex challenges. One team means connecting not demolishing Share the Wins and Losses The fifth and final practice is about instilling a way to celebrate and learn. The open organisation instils an operating rhythm that encourages and supports people to debrief, learn and adapt together. The five shares highlight that it’s not the silos that are guilty, but rather the leaders who keep their experts in silos to protect a way of working that is not sustainable in a complex and fast changing world. These five practices or ‘five shares’ form the framework for the Think One Team change leadership method, and they provide a model (shown in the diagram) that is very useful for team leaders to connect their teams across the traditional ‘divides’. Think Silos Think One Team Pursue own agendas Avoid and deny Stifle communication Protect your own turf Play I win you lose Share the big picture Share the reality Share the air Share the load Share the wins and losses Graham Winter is an Australian psychologist and best-selling author of Think One Team, The 90 day plan that engages employees, connects silos and transforms organisations. www.thinkoneteam.com March 2016 ModernBusiness 53