Are You a Lateral Leader?

There are many styles of management. Different CEOs with markedly different styles can be successful in similar companies or in the same company. The same person might adopt different styles in different circumstances. For example you would not manage the Cub Scouts’ softball team the same way that you manage a project team to update your company’s computer systems. There is no one correct way to manage. Ultimately the right way to manage is one that works for you and which works for the organization in delivering the goals you set out to achieve. It is always worthwhile to step back and review your personal management style and to ask how effective it is in managing your team and achieving your collective goals. As an aid in this process, let’s contrast two extremes of style that we have designated as the conventional leader and the lateral leader. The conventional leader is easily recognizable as goal-oriented, authoritative, and decisive who is well suited to a structured regime (e.g., the military). The lateral leader, on the other hand, adopts a different approach to reaching goals. He or she is

much more focused on the creativity and innovation of the team.  

To which end of this spectrum do you belong? If it is the conventional leader, then perhaps you should consider adopting more of the lateral leader’s precepts and approaches. The conventional leader’s approach is fine for improving operational efficiency in a well-defined environment. However, the more innovative your organization needs to be, the more of the lateral leader you should be.

Key Concepts for the Conventional Leader Key Concepts for the Lateral LeaderAction:     an activity, deed or operation. Thinking:     the process of forming, conceiving

or resolving in the mind.

Result:  an outcome, decision, win or loss. Creativity:    the ability to bring something new

improvement:    a change for the better, the Innovation:    the act of introducing or implementing something process of making things more efficient or more new or revolutionary.valuable.

The Conventional Leader... The Lateral Leader...

Leads from the front. Leads from the side.

Directs. Inspires.

Uses conventional methods and seeks to improve Develops new methods and seeks to change the rules, change effectiveness and efficiency. partners or change the approach to the problem.

Thinks he knows best (and often does). Harnesses the abilities of others.

Has a strong sense of direction and purpose. Has a vision and uses it to inspire others.

Spends more time on improving day-to-day Spends more time on finding new strategic operational matters than strategic issues. initiatives and partners than on solving operational or day-

to-day matters.

Gives directions and orders. Ask questions, solicits suggestions and delegates.

Looks for greater efficiency, more productivity, faster Looks for new ways to do things, new approaches to the

development, more aggressive sales and marketing. customer, new solutions, new partnerships.

The Conventional Leader... The Lateral Leader...

Treats staff as subordinates. Treats staff as colleagues.

Is decisive, often without prior consultation. Solicits views and inputs before making decisions.

Builds an effective team of managers who can execute Builds a team of creative, entrepreneurial individualspolicy and implement plans.

Focus on actions and results. Focus on directions and innovation to achieve results.

Instructs. Empowers.

Hires based on experience, proven track record and Hires based on experience, creativity and latent capabilities.

qualifications.

Discourages dissent. Encourages constructive dissent.

Cares about results above all. Cares about ideas, peoples and the "vision".

Promotes himself as the leader and figurehead with Shares exposure and prestige with the team.press, customers and outside world.

Encourages action, activity and work. Encourages ideas, innovation and fun.

Rewards performance. Rewards creativity.

Is numbers-oriented and analytical. Is ideas-oriented, analytical and intuitive.

Sees technology as a means to do things better, Sees technology as a means to do things entirely differently.

faster and cheaper.

Overrules ideas and initiatives which he sees as Encourages all initiative and often implements ideas or flawed or wrong. suggestions over which he has misgivings.

Communicates through memos and e-mail. Communicates through open discussion.

Author: Paul Sloane is the author of ten books on lateral puzzles, creative problem-solving and lateral leadership. He is the founder of Destination-Innovation, a consultancy that helps organizations develop the vision, culture and process of innovation. His book, "The Leader’s Guide to Lateral Thinking Skills", is published by Kogan Page.