In the past, many organizations relied on a tiered structure of leadership with a chain of control to guide the activities of others within the group. While this method can be effective it is not very flexible and can be slow to change and ineffective in a rapidly changing marketplace.
What is Kinetic Leadership?
There is a quote attributed to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus that says “you can’t step in the same river twice,” in part because the river is continuously changing but also because you are changing and evolving. Organizations, like rivers, are not static and require management that can adapt and move with them. Kinetic leadership is a style of management that embraces change. It inspires team members to rise as leaders; it relies less on hierarchy and places more focus on maximizing individual performance. As the team embraces the leader’s passion and vision, the group enjoys a forward momentum of energy. Good kinetic leaders are inspiring, intuitive, and able to anticipate change so they can effectively lead the group. In a world where nothing is static, kinetic leaders can help their organization easily pivot and respond to challenges so the group can press forward.
Why are organizations leveraging Kinetic Leadership?
The pandemic has introduced more challenges and risks for corporations. Organizations must be nimble to survive. They are relying on kinetic leaders to manage change and inspire their teams to move forward. When groups are experiencing, supply chain issues, staffing shortages, and other challenges, Kinetic Leaders can help ease the stress and guide the team through these murky waters.
What skills are important in a Kinetic Leader?
Two of the most important skills for kinetic leaders are to have a clear vision and excellent communication. A good leader will inspire action through words of encouragement and direction. It is extremely important that they are good listeners and fully understand the abilities, desires, and skills of each team member to help align individual assets with workplace objectives.
It is important to be open to everyone’s potential and new ways to grow experience. For example, maybe a manager typically leads certain projects or initiatives, but what if a maintenance technician has significant experience in a certain area, maybe handing off a special project could help them grow and free up some time for the manager? Giving the maintenance person this opportunity to expand their horizons and shine are how you as a leader are making new leaders.
Key Benefits
- Kinetic Leaders – Inspire team members and motivate engagement
- Team Members – Have more energy and enthusiasm, feel valued
- Flexibility – A agile response to external changes
- Client Satisfaction – Better able to meet client needs
Pitfalls To Avoid
- Communication that is unclear or does not clearly state the direction or goal
- Allow time to adjust before switching directions or pivoting too often
- Make sure kinetic leaders have enough support so they do not experience burnout or fatigue
Measuring Impact
So how do you know if you’re succeeding in your role as a kinetic leader? You can measure your achievement in many ways like profit growth, employee commitment, turnover reduction, or even just employee morale. Every workplace has a different environment and set of challenges, therefore, determining improvement will vary by organization.
You Never Step in the Same River Twice
As things continue to evolve and change, it is how we respond that makes a difference. What have you been doing to implement kinetic leadership in your workplace?
Brittney Ballenger | Territory Manager
Brittney is a territory manager in Central Wisconsin and one of Watertech of America’s newest team members. She is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and holds a BS in Engineering. She provides industrial water treatment solutions for boiler, cooling, and wastewater applications.