Awesome Lead Link/Mediocre Lead Link
This article uses the basic language of holacracy (HBS overview here). The general principles of leadership should apply in other self-managing knowledge economy organizations. Tunapanda Institute adopted holacracy in mid-2015 here in Kibera, Nairobi. It has served us well in many ways, though we are working on implementing a modified version called pandacracy.
“Those of us who have been privileged to receive education, skills, and experiences and even power must be role models for the next generation of leadership.” — Wangari Maathai
Awesome Lead Links lead. Mediocre Lead Links only command.
Awesome LLs inspire action through vision, influence, and (over-)communication. Mediocre LLs make excuses that they can’t get work done without more direct authority.
Awesome LLs mentor and coach. Mediocre LLs pass judgment and lecture.
Awesome LLs spread credit generously, knowing their success will be judged by the output of their teams and the whole organization. Mediocre LLs hoard credit and fearfully block others from looking great.
Awesome LLs know that reputation and integrity matter. Mediocre LLs think short-term and aren’t guided by values.
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” — Warren Buffett
Awesome LLs tell the truth but will take the blame for their team members’ mistakes. Mediocre LLs tell lies and half-truths to protect themselves, even at the expense of others.
Awesome LLs focus on collaboration across the organization, bringing great people with diverse minds together to do great work. Mediocre LLs try to build silos and fiefdoms with people who think like them.
Awesome LLs work hard and try to learn how to do everything their team does (though they never have enough time). Mediocre LLs don’t focus on quality and push work to others so they can find time to relax.
“Nothing will work unless you do.” — Maya Angelou
Awesome LLs know they need Stabilizing, Innovative, Productive, and Unifying forces on their teams. Mediocre LLs only value their own styles.
Awesome LLs keep an eye on cultural fit, help Team Players become Team Leaders, and prevent toxic team members from poisoning the rest of the team. Mediocre LLs let mediocre behavior and selfishness go unchecked.
Awesome LLs work with Secretaries (SLs) to collect good data about performance and then act on it. Mediocre LLs act only through instinct.
Awesome LLs encourage Rep Links (RLs) to form connections across the whole organization, so they know what is going on. Mediocre LLs only care about their own team’s work.
Awesome LLs want Facilitators (FLs) to keep them accountable for following the rules and to run productive/fun meetings. Mediocre LLs hate fun and want to run everything themselves without needing to follow the rules.
This article is loosely based on the classic “Good Product Manager/Bad Product Manager” by Ben Horrowitz.
Role definition
According to the Appendix of the Constitution of Holacracy, the following are the purpose, domains, and accountabilities of the Lead Link role:
LEAD LINK PURPOSE: The Lead Link holds the Purpose of the overall Circle.
DOMAINS: Role assignments within the Circle
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Structuring the Governance of the Circle to enact its Purpose and Accountabilities
- Assigning Partners to the Circle’s Roles; monitoring the fit; offering feedback to enhance fit; and re-assigning Roles to other Partners when useful for enhancing fit
- Allocating the Circle’s resources across its various Projects and/or Roles
- Establishing priorities and Strategies for the Circle
- Defining metrics for the circle
- Removing constraints within the Circle to the Super-Circle enacting its Purpose and Accountabilities
The Lead Link also holds all un-delegated Circle-level Domains and Accountabilities.
Thanks Ipovi John Gitonga and Mick Larson for reading a draft of this article.
