The effective Maverick Leader

The effective Maverick Leader. These days everyone wants to be a Maverick Leader, even if they are unsure what that really means.

Maverick Leaders – terms of reference

To consider what makes an effective Maverick Leader, we have to first understand what we mean by the terms we are using (Maverick and Maverick Leader). I have been defining ‘maverick’ as wilful independence since 2005 …

“This definition (wilful independence) always makes me smile because in my imagination the maverick is standing there, looking angelic, with a smirk on his face and more than a hint of devilment in his behaviour.

You never quite know what he is going to do, you do know however that it’s going to be interesting!” – Judith Germain – The Maverick Paradox: The Secret Power Behind Successful Leaders

What is it to be a Maverick Leader?

A Maverick Leader doesn’t put on a magic leadership cloak when they go to work. They do not see ‘leadership’ as something that they do. They don’t need formal ‘authority’ to do it.

Leading is who they are, which is why they are strong proponents of justice, objectivity and integrity. They are trusted and trustworthy. They loath cognitive dissonance and are empathetic, innovative leaders.

The great news is that anyone can learn how to become a Maverick Leader, even if they don’t have a maverick personality. Whilst the Maverick itself is a curious, complex creation – becoming a Maverick Leader is well within your grasp.

There are two main components of the Maverick Leader:

• Mastery of the Maverick KEYSTONE Capabilities™
• Mastery of the © Maverick Impact™ and the Maverick DRIVEN Leadership™ Methodology

At a later date we will explore both of this concepts in much more detail than this article allows. In the meantime let me remind you that you can read how the Maverick Business Owner can demonstrate Maverick Leadership by clicking the blue button below.

The effective Maverick Leader

You can be a Maverick Leader regardless of title or whether you run your own business or work within one. An effective Maverick Leader is one that strives to master the two main components mentioned above.

“The great thing about pursuing mastery is that although you cannot attain it, you are compelled to try”.

Judith Germain

“The Maverick KEYSTONE Capabilities™ are key components of success, and how the capabilities are balanced and demonstrated will determine where an individual is on the Maverick Continuum™.

I’ve noticed when beginning work with leadership teams or individuals who aspire to be leaders, that the biggest struggle they have, is not the leadership techniques (these are, or should be, easily learned and applied); it’s knowing how to be a leader. It doesn’t help that there are few good leadership role models to emulate.

These aspiring leaders are unsure whether they have the right internal resources and if so, how to apply them. They also struggle with knowing which leadership techniques to apply and when. Leadership should not be all about techniques, who you are as an individual and what value you bring to your followers, is highly important as well.

My belief is that all good leaders, at the very least, are Maverick Behaviourists; properly attuned and flexibly applied to the situation at hand” – The Maverick Paradox: The Secret Power Behind Successful Leaders.

Wielding your Maverick KEYSTONE Capabilities™ is an essential life skill that benefits the individual, business owner or corporate executive alike. Whilst future articles will go into more detail, the picture below outlines what the acronym stands for.

The effective Maverick Leader follows the Maverick DRIVEN Leadership™ methodology

“Maverick leaders, regardless of whether they have formal or informal authority all utilise, what I am calling, the Maverick DRIVEN Leadership™ methodology at the heart of what they do. This leadership methodology provides a foundation for success, and thus the credibility of the leader. Successful mavericks and Maverick Behaviourists use this methodology naturally and it’s this authenticity that enables people to follow them.

Aspiring leaders can also use the Maverick DRIVEN Leadership™ Methodology to improve their leadership ability” – The Maverick Paradox: The Secret Power Behind Successful Leaders.

Future articles will go into more detail about Maverick DRIVEN Leadership™, whilst you are waiting for these, you can check out an article that I wrote in 2017.

The effective Maverick Leader understands that to lead is to role model change. That they must master leadership of self as well as the mastery of execution. The next article in the Effective Maverick Leader will look at the Maverick KEYSTONE Capabilities™.