
In my last article, I introduced the concept of core capacities:
- Connection
- Definition
- Integration
- Collaboration
These are the essential building blocks of effective leadership. When one or more of these capacities are underdeveloped, the team suffers.
Before you can strengthen your CORE 4, it’s important to first recognize where gaps might exist.
Here are 4 ways to spot a weak spot:
CONNECTION DEFICIT:
Strained Relationships
Connection is about building authentic and trusting relationships on your team.
If this is weak, you might notice:
- Hesitancy to connect.
- Transactional relationships.
- Lower morale and engagement.
- Suppression of emotions or felt needs.
- Misunderstandings due to lack of communication.
Look in the Mirror: Are your interactions more about managing tasks, or are you taking the time to understand the people who are carrying them out?
DEFINITION DEFICIT:
Unclear Boundaries and Overwhelm
Definition refers to the ability to set clear boundaries, both personally and professionally.
Resistance to the following:
- being different
- establishing
- enforcing boundaries
IF more concerned with performance, earning, and competing, move to integration.
If this is weak, you might notice:
- Difficulty delegating tasks.
- Vague roles and responsibilities.
- Saying “yes” to too many responsibilities.
- Feeling offended when someone says “no”.
Look in the Mirror: Are you setting clear boundaries for yourself and your team, or are expectations and responsibilities often muddled?
INTEGRATION DEFICIT:
Avoiding Difficult Realities
Integration is about embracing both the positive and negative realities. Leaders with an integration deficit often shy away from difficult realities.
If this is weak, you might notice:
- Self-deprecation.
- Blaming others for failures.
- Defensiveness when feedback is offered.
- Unresolved conflicts or tension due to lack of communication.
Look in the Mirror: Are you able to face the tough conversations head-on, or do you tend to avoid them in favor of maintaining a surface-level harmony?
COLLABORATION DEFICIT:
Disjointed Team Efforts
Collaboration is about creating environments where team members work together seamlessly, pooling their strengths to achieve a common goal.
If this is weak, you might notice:
- Silos vs Collaboration.
- Authority figure dominates.
- Team needs approval for everything.
- Finger-pointing when things go wrong.
- Organizational coup due to feelings of irrelevance.
Look in the Mirror: Is your team truly working together, or are they simply coordinating their efforts in isolation?
Recognizing these deficits requires honest self-reflection. It’s not about assigning blame—either to yourself or others—but about understanding where improvements can be made.