You find the 3 C’s everywhere. The 3 C’s of leadership, the 3 C’s of communication, the 3 C’s of trust, the 3 C’s of motivation, the 3 C’s of Credibility, the 3 C’s of customers, the 3 C’s of purpose and the list goes on.
Leadership complexity reflects in the varying perspectives on what makes a good leader and the variations of the selected 3 C’s. Let me explain by examples. One reference selected Confidence, communications, Character. Another reference opted for Communication, Confidence, Commitment. A third reference selected Competence, Consistency, Care. A fourth reference decided for Courage, Change, Communication. Still, a fifth reference chose Chemistry, Character, Competency. A sixth reference decided for Clear vision, communication, culture. A seventh reference nominated Competence, Caring, Communication. In an interview conducted by Fatima G. Williams, the interviewee Lynda Spiegel mentioned her 3 C’s of leadership as Caring, Charismatic, Credible. This reference assigned the 3 C’s of Competence, Consistency, Care. The 3 c’s of confidence, communication, character is assigned by this reference. An alternative set of 3 C’s is Communication, Confidence, Commitment. Competence, Courage, Compassion are the 3 C’s of leadership according to this reference.
The differences extend to engulf the attributes of the 3 C’s. For example, we may notice from above that communication is a frequent trait of great leaders, but then what are the 3 C’s of communication. A quick survey of literature revealed the following. One reference nominated Communicate, Collaborate, Commit. A second reference selected Clear, Concise, Consistent. A third reference chose Clarity, Consistency, Confidence. A fourth reference decided for Clear, Concise, Compelling. A slightly different version was suggested of Clear, Concise, Concrete by this reference. A different variation of Commitment, Consistency, and Courage was called for by this reference.
You shall find the same variations of the 3 C’s on each attribute of what makes a great leader. This is a highly complex issue because one attribute feedback to another. For example, commitment affects our confidence and our ability- once we upgrade one we may upgrade the other non-linearly. I decided to try to put these triangles of 3 C’s on a fractal form to visualize them better and allow for more consistent comparisons and discussions. I started with my own version of a good leader from a previous post that I wrote more than two years ago. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have 3 C’s, but it is still triangular. Purpose is highlighted because purpose, among many other definitions, as the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. Why do we exist and why companies exist? The quality of the purpose defines the quality of life itself.
I used this definition of a great leader to build on what a fractal leader is. The image is color-coded so that we know which attribute belongs to what triangle. The largest triangle has the Desirability, Ability, and Purpose in black letters. From each of these attributes, we have the 3 C’s that define it. For example, communication skills are defined in red colors by Clarity, Consistency, Courtesy. The same applies to the rest.
I hope this buzz explains why we haven’t still arrived at what makes a great leader. However; I hope the buzz helps in standardizing our approaches.
What makes a great leader in your opinion?
Very respectfully I dedicate this buzz to Fatima G. Williams who has been a Caring, Committed, and Courteous friend.
My dear Professor Ali … your own good leadership skills are reflected here.
If I were limited to 3 “C’s” … I would choose:
Character, competency and communication.
“Good leaders” are people first.
All people are fractal “broken.” The fractal condition will spill over into the world of work. “Brokenness” includes “ego-based dysfunction”
“Leadership” is a role that is shaped by character & competency … and consciousness.
Level of consciousness is a key for good leadership.
The greatest achievement of humanity is not in technology, art or science. It is in the growing recognition of its own ego-based dysfunction. How we communicate has everything to do with our level of consciousness. No one can act beyond their level of consciousness. The dysfunction of our ego-based mind has been magnified through science and technology.” ~ Phil Johnson
“Recognition of ego-based dysfunction” … requires looking inward: looking at the whole human being: heart & soul (mind-will-emotions)
Character includes: commitment, caring, courage
Competency includes: clear vision, communication-clarity-courtesy, collaboration, creativity, consistency, coaching or cheer-leading
Good leaders are like “wise herdsmen” (you’ve read my thoughts)
Dear Fay,
What a great comment!
Yes, humans- all humans- are broken fractals with one addition that fractals are not copy of each other.
Your list of the 3- Cs is very interesting and are worthy of careful consideration.
Very good job Ali. This is a real good read.and There is a lot one can agree with.
In a world characterized by constant changes and uncertainties, where organizations are increasingly committed to re-thinking and re-designing their culture and actions, the leader is called to take unusual paths, playing a primary role as a catalyst new ways of living in the organization and as an activator and facilitator of change. An evolutionary and innovative leadership style, capable of projecting a clear vision of the direction to follow, of keeping an open and constructive attitude, of transforming any type of problem into an opportunity for growth, of mobilizing in each individual all the energy that can express, to constitute a fundamental point of reference for the other components of the organization. It is a style in which live together, on the one hand, the ability to tune in to collaborators, especially on an emotional level, and on the other the ability to act on all internal and external components of the company system.
A leader who makes sacrifices for the people who follow him and for the whole group will always have people ready to give their best to achieve common goals.
ALDO DELLI PAOLI
I am moved not only by your appreciation, but also by the depth of your comment.
Aldo- your comment here is in reality a road map for thinking and for defining what great leaders do. It is an integrated comment that stands alone as a great post.
Honestly, I could not find a gap to fill in and all I can say that with such high level of thinking you are surely a great leader. I have no doubt that people who worked for/with you will not dispute what I am saying.
Thanks again.