Subject: Action-centred leadership

Action-centred leadership was devised by John Adair. Is this model relevant in your organisation? Have you used it? Did it work?

I have used the ACL model in all kinds of organisations since I was first introduced to it in 1976. It provides a ready framework in which to analyse options as a leader and gives a quick answer to the 'How do I deal with this problem' that is the day to day stuff of leaders. I have used it for example as a brainstorming tool when trying to pull together disfunctional teams.

I would welcome some links here to academic evaluations of the ACL approach so that I could reflect on their real world aplication in Charities.

I was introduced to ACL by the ledgendry John Garnett, of the Industrial Society, on a Runge Effective Leadership cousre in Oxford in 1974. do any readers remember this?

I have carried the short 10 rules from the Runge Effective Leadership course around with me for years. Here they are;

THE ROLE OF THE LEADER

1. Define the objectives of the Team. Put them across with enthusiasm and remind people of them often.

2. Clarify accountability. Ensure every individual is accountable to ONE leader, and make leaders accountable for 4 - 15 people.

3. Train Team Leaders in leadership skills.

4. Regularly and at least anually discuss progress with individuals. Establish new targets and priorities.

5. Delegate decisions to individuals. With your own decisions consult those affected before you decide. Explain your decisions and the reasons face to face. Support decisions from above.

6. Remind all staff regualry of the value of their work. Brief the Team regularly on progress, policy, people and points for action.

7. Gain support for the rules, set an example, and 'have a go' at those who break them.

8. Where unions are recognised encourage joining, attending meetings, standing for office and speaking up for what is right.

9. Work alongside people. Care for the wellbeing of people in the Team. Represent the Team to higher and independant authority. Deal with grievances promptly and attend social functions.

10. Monitor the work of the Team, but regularly 'stand back' to see the whole picture. Regularly walk around each person's place of work, watch, listen, encourage and praise.

Academic evaluations of ACL: see Lancaster University's Centre for Excellence in Leadership for examples in Further Education; and see book by Professor Robin Middlehurst, Surrey University:

"A Challenging Journey" re Higher Education.

John Garnett and the Runge course: it was run over 90 times and finally finished  about three years ago.  Two ex-Industrial Society consultants now run a version of it -- see www.brookeboulton.co.uk.  A key ingredient of the course has always been working in small teams.  The ten rules which you list are as valid today as ever.

Andrew Forrest.

Thank you Linden for your post. I can't get the URL you posted to work. Am I doing something wrong? I really  would like to find the successor course to Runge Effective Leadership as I often get asked about it and its availability.

I have used Adair and it worked on an away day that we run for our exec committee.

We've contacted the brookeboulton people who say that the site is down for redevelopment at the moment. Keep checking - it should be up again soon!

Brookeboulton are indeed still running the Runge Effective Leadership programme. You can contact Alan Boulton on 01249 811 377. The last programme was run in October 2008 and the next is scheduled for March 2009. Alan Boulton ran the Runge Effective Leadership programme for seven years whilst at the Work Foundation.

The Work Foundation is the successor body of the Industrial Society. They decided not to continue with the Runge Effective Leadership programme as they changed thier focus. You can find the Work Foundation on http://www.theworkfoundation.com the person there now dealing with Leadership is Ian Lawson he is Business Development Director for leadership. He has written four books on leadership and aspects of people management and is on the editorial board of the journal of public sector leadership and is a board member of the British Army Leadership Training School.

I have just spoken to Alan Boulton about the next Effective Leadership programme. Brooke Boulton have cancelled the March course as they had 16 participants withdraw due to the financial situation. They are now planning to run a course in September 2009. Please contact Alan directly to know more on 01249 811 377.

Procentus Consulting are running an open course on John Adairs 'Action Centred Leadership' in Gatwick on 27th-28th May. There are still places availible for this course.

For further details go to http://www.procentusconsulting.com

Procentus consulting are accredited by John Adair for 'Action centred leadership' courses.

Procentus can also deliver these courses inhouse, should this be the preference.

ACL courses are a powerfull learning experience which give the foundations of leadership at any level.

Please also see attached course outline

Contact  Ian Thompson  - Procentus Consulting Ltd 01403 793880

I came across this announcement of the Leadership Assessment Tool on the Capacity Builders Website. It is apparently still under trial. Does anyone know anything about this and how it is being applied?

It looks like a great idea. I would love to have a link to this from Knowhow Nonprofit.

The Third Sector Leadership hub at Ashridge seems to have come to an end? But I did find this very interesting 'brochure' published there - Learning to Lead (PDF).

Please add any other useful resources to this topic.

Strengthening Leadership in the Cultural Sector

I am very impressed with the Clore Leadership Programme for leaders in the Arts. I heard that they are considering extending this into the non profit sector. Does anyone know if this is the case?

The Clore Leadership Programme is an initiative of the Clore Duffield Foundation which aims to strengthen leadership across a wide range of cultural activities.

This includes the visual and performing arts, film, heritage, museums, libraries and archives, creative industries and cultural policy and administration.

"We offer Fellowships and Short Courses for individual leaders, and training for members of Boards of Directors of cultural organisations. We also aim to disseminate the lessons we learn and to speak out more generally as advocates for cultural leadership and excellence."