“Leading Outside the Lines: How to Mobilize the Informal Organization, Energize Your Team, and Get Better Results” was first published in 2010 and offers insights and strategies for leaders to harness the power of informal networks within their organizations to drive better performance and innovation.
Mobilizing the Informal Organization
The authors argue that while the formal organization has a clear structure and rules, the informal organization is often the hidden source of creativity and innovation within an organization. Leaders need to learn how to mobilize the informal organization by understanding and leveraging the informal networks and relationships that exist between employees. By doing so, leaders can unlock the full potential of their team and drive better results.
Building Trust
Trust is the foundation of any successful team or organization. Leaders need to build trust by being transparent and honest with their team, following through on commitments, and treating employees with respect and dignity. By doing so, leaders can create a culture of trust that fosters collaboration and drives better results.
Measuring Informal Performance
Leaders need to measure informal performance by tracking the behaviors and actions that drive success within the informal organization. This can be achieved by identifying key performance indicators and monitoring them over time.
By doing so, leaders can gain insights into the informal organization and make data-driven decisions to drive better performance.
Leading with Purpose
The authors argue that leaders need to lead with purpose by aligning their actions and decisions with the values and aspirations of the organization. By doing so, leaders can create a culture of purpose that inspires and motivates employees to work towards a common goal and drive better results.
Fostering Collaboration
Collaboration is key to unlocking the full potential of the informal organization. Leaders need to create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and collaborating with each other. This can be achieved by promoting open communication, creating cross-functional teams, and recognizing and rewarding collaborative efforts.
Energizing Your Team
Leaders can energize their teams by tapping into their emotional and social needs. This can be achieved by fostering a sense of belonging, providing opportunities for personal growth and development, and creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated.
Embracing Informal Leaders
Informal leaders are employees who have significant influence within the informal organization, even though they may not have an official leadership role. Leaders need to identify and embrace these informal leaders, as they can be instrumental in mobilizing the informal organization and driving better results.
Managing Change
Change is inevitable within any organization, and leaders need to be skilled at managing it. The authors suggest that leaders need to involve employees in the change process, communicate openly and honestly, and provide support and resources to help employees navigate the change.
Leveraging Diversity
Diversity within an organization is a valuable resource that can be leveraged to drive innovation and better results. Leaders need to embrace diversity and create an inclusive culture that encourages different perspectives and ideas. By doing so, leaders can tap into the full range of skills and experiences within their team and drive better performance.
Creating a Sense of Purpose
Leaders need to create a sense of purpose within their team by setting clear goals and aligning them with the values and aspirations of the organization. By doing so, leaders can create a shared sense of purpose that motivates employees to work towards a common goal and drive better results.
