Module Twelve: Responsiveness
“Don’t mistake brilliance for direction and purpose.”
The leader who said this to me is one of the most brilliant people I have ever met. His name is Kevin Kuck, and he is changing his direction and purpose. Kevin is one of those individuals who has been gifted with an amazing mind that processes technical solutions in a way that very few can understand. He has built a career on solving very difficult problems for a large international corporation.
I have had the opportunity to walk with Kevin through the last several years of his leadership journey. I have observed a man who was fiercely loyal and protective of his team. I have watched as he navigated the complicated waters of leading in the corporate world. While his path was not always easy, his devotion to those he has led was never in doubt. He rose to his VP status because of his ability to jump into the most complicated problems and provide much-needed solutions. All the while, he was advocating for his team. He was their protector, challenger, and mentor. Most of all, he truly cared about those he led. While his enterprising loyalty was huge, his commitment to lead with integrity was even bigger.
Kevin will now enter the next season of his life as he retires from his current organization. There is no doubt that this incredible leader will find a new path that is meaningful. I am grateful for his friendship and for the countless lives that he has impacted. Congratulations, Kevin. I am looking forward to your next leadership venture.
Choose to lead with direction and purpose, and you will make a difference.
Larry Little
Eagle Center for Leadership
What constitutes a response? We usually think of responding as something we say or do after something happens, but think about the times you’ve responded without saying anything at all. Maybe you hesitated, avoided a conversation, changed your approach, or simply chose not to act. A response is not limited to words or obvious actions. What we do, or choose not to do, can also communicate something.
So, what does this mean for responsiveness as a leader? Is being responsive the same as simply responding? We respond to situations multiple times a day, often without giving much thought to how we respond. Responsiveness asks us to be more intentional. We need to pay attention to what’s happening, consider what the situation calls for, and choose how to respond rather than simply reacting. Sometimes that calls for immediate action. Other times, the better response may be to slow down and gather more information first.
Leadership rarely gives us perfect conditions to work with. Circumstances change, and unexpected situations can force us to reconsider what we planned to do. Part of leading with Excellence is Responsiveness. It means being prepared to adjust our response as circumstances change and using good judgment when the right path is not immediately clear.
“Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results, not attributes.”
This module explores responsiveness through three areas: Adaptability explores how we adjust when circumstances change, Crisis Communication examines how we communicate when people need direction during uncertainty, and Say Less, Mean More focuses on using clarity and good judgment to make our communication more effective. Let’s get started!
