Linda R. Gooden is a retired technology business executive specializing in aerospace and defense, operations, strategy, and planning. Here she offers advice to readers that want to know how to take a unit to the next level, develop a leadership mindset, reframe a service business, and break the mold.
Question: I have the functional skills and experience and know business. But I know it from the retail side and not the service side. I’d like to take my unit to the next level based on future opportunities, but it’s far from a slam dunk. What if I crash and burn?
Linda: A good leader has attributes and behaviors that can be used across many domains. When I think of leadership, I think of four primary attributes that are useful for development or service.
Leaders don’t worry about crashing and burning; they focus on accomplishing the mission. Colin Powell notes, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. A good leader understands that everything won’t go well. The key to long-term success is to accept that you will have failures and to use those failures as learning experiences. Some of my greatest learnings were the result of a failure.”
Question: I can manage really well, but I’m not sure I can lead and win hearts as well as minds and talents. I know I have leadership skills, but how do I develop a leadership mindset?
Linda: You must think of leadership as a behavior instead of a title or position. Leaders are those individuals that are willing to take responsibility for making decisions and bringing change. Leaders empower people to discover and use their greatest potential. Leaders demonstrate their ability through their behavior, attitude, and actions. Leaders are selfless.
Question: If I get my new position, they expect success. But it’ll take a learning curve, and I’m on my own for the results. The accountability is all mine. Should I put the end at risk?
Linda: To quote Marc Zuckerberg, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk…. In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”
There is risk in everything you do. The mark of a good leader is always working on being prepared for both the current role and the next one up. Assuming you are selected for promotion, it will greatly shorten the learning curve.
Question: I have been executing in my functional area really well at the tactical level, but operating within the context of the larger group needs more to make us seriously profitable. What do I need to tell my team, who feel they’re working for two different companies?
Linda: A team comprised of both functional and operational members is needed to operate a business. Everyone has a role, and each role is important. It is important that both functional members and operational members of the team understand the business strategy as well as their roles and responsibilities and how they fit into the overall business strategy.
