Cascading Leadership Series – A Clear Path to Run On (or cascade down)

Cascading leadership has a lot to do with personal accountability and communication. Each and every person at Nolan Painting has to take responsibility for their own communication–knowing what information must be shared with whom in the right time frame. 

Communication is cascaded throughout our organization, starting at the top and working all the way down to frontline employees. It drives clarity and alignment around the goals and strategic direction of the organization. 

We often use the military and sports teams as models because they rely on hierarchies, rankings, and skills. People understand the categories of hierarchies and skills.

So, when the hierarchy is clear and the communication is solid, a company can practice decentralized command (read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leaf Babin). 

This concept is wonderfully effective if everyone embraces your mission and culture. Then, when employees have been thoroughly trained, knowing how to react to any situation, they will not have to check in with their supervisor. They know what to do and how to do it. There is little or no deviation from that clear and helpful training. It is a beautiful thing. 

Therefore, the company leader knows what to expect from that person and they will enjoy freedom within their position. 

It reminds me of when, after months of practicing with my permit, my parents saw that I was a good driver and let me take the car out for the evening. Your trust in your people increases because you have done the work and training. 

Using the structure provided by communication chains, meetings, organizational charts, job descriptions, and training programs, the leader can be confident that all team members are on the same page, and stuff will get done the right way!

Phew. This is real organizational muscle. It is also fun for everyone. See you next week.

If you celebrate Christmas—I wish you a merry one!