Strong Connection Between Exemplary Leadership and Clear Communication
In the realm of business and academia, the art of negotiation is a crucial skill for leaders. Two notable figures, Michael Ovitz and Jeswald Salacuse, have provided insights into the complexities of negotiating a leadership role.
Michael Ovitz, the founder of Creative Artists Agency, made headlines when he was hired as the president of the Walt Disney Company by Michael Eisner in 1994. However, his tenure proved disastrous, lasting only 14 months before his dismissal. Ovitz negotiated a potentially lucrative termination clause in his Disney contract, receiving severance payments of $38 million in cash and about $100 million in Disney stock options. The hiring of Ovitz triggered a shareholder lawsuit that took 10 years and many more millions to litigate.
On the other hand, Jeswald Salacuse, dean of Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, offers a more positive example. Salacuse broke from his predecessors by becoming actively involved in the hiring and promotion of the school's teachers and scholars. During his eight-year tenure, he oversaw a 70% turnover of the Fletcher School's faculty and the rebuilding of the school's caliber.
Salacuse emphasises the importance of understanding the expectations set by predecessors and developing a leadership and communication strategy to shift others' expectations. He advises leaders to not over-rely on job descriptions, consider predecessors' expectations, assess constituents' level of support, negotiate their role constantly, and prepare for changes in scope.
According to Salacuse, leaders negotiate constantly to lead other people. Conflict can arise when expectations of a leader vary from one group to another. Every leader faces two distinct negotiations: one for their position and one for their role. Negotiating a leadership role involves discussing concerns about abilities and qualifications with coworkers and setting the scope of duties.
To align expectations effectively, Salacuse suggests several strategies. Clear communication is key, ensuring transparency and a shared understanding of roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Shared goals should be established to foster a collaborative environment. Active listening is crucial to understand the needs and concerns of all stakeholders. Flexibility and empathy are necessary to find mutually beneficial solutions that meet the needs of different parties. Regular feedback should be provided to ensure that expectations are aligned and any issues are addressed promptly.
By following these strategies, leaders can negotiate effectively and align expectations to avoid conflict while achieving a successful outcome for all parties involved. Whether it's in the world of entertainment or academia, the lessons from Ovitz and Salacuse remain relevant for anyone navigating the complexities of leadership negotiations.
- In the realm of business, negotiation is a vital skill for leaders, as shown by the experiences of Michael Ovitz and Jeswald Salacuse.
- Michael Ovitz, a former president of the Walt Disney Company, negotiated a lucrative termination clause in his contract, but his tenure proved disastrous and cost the company millions.
- Jeswald Salacuse, on the other hand, offers a positive example of effective leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding expectations, developing a strategy, and communicating clearly to negotiate a role successfully.
- According to Salacuse, leaders must negotiate constantly to lead other people, aligning expectations and finding mutually beneficial solutions through clear communication, shared goals, active listening, flexibility, and empathy.
- Salacuse's strategies can be applied to various fields, whether it's business or academia, helping leaders avoid conflict and achieve success for all parties involved.
- Effective negotiation requires finesse and strategic thinking, and understanding thecomplexities of leadership negotiations can benefit anyone from the world of entertainment to academia.
