74 / LEADING FROM A DISTANCE
Using the Three O
Model of Leadership
The Three O Model provides a useful way of thinking about your role
as a remote leader. By highlighting the interdependencies between
“Outcomes,” “Others,” and “Ourselves,” it illustrates the tricky balance
you must maintain between directing and encouraging your sta.
Striving for balance
Your role as a leader is something of a
balancing act. On the one hand, you need
to inspire and encourage others toward
achieving outcomes together; on the
other, you need to fulfill the expected role
of leader, being visible, and in control.
This means you sit both within and at
the head of the team—you can’t achieve
outcomes without them, but they can’t
flourish without your direction. As a
remote leader, the challenge is to
“lead from behind,” which means staying
visible and approachable, while giving
others the space to fulfil their potential.
By highlighting how the various factors
involved—“Outcomes,” “Others,” and
“Ourselves”—interlink, the Three O
Model can help you decide the right
balance to get the best out of your team.
Outcomes
As a leader, it’s
your job to pursue
outcomes
Ourselves
Others can’t
function at their
best without
you
Others
You can’t achieve
those outcomes
without others
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USING THE THREE O MODEL OF LEADERSHIP / 75
Ensuring the right outcomes
Outcomes are specific, tangible results that you and your team are
striving for. Without clear targets they can drift, especially when you’re
working apart, so it’s more important than ever to agree and set goals
atan organizational, team, and individual level. When expectations are
clear, the outcomes you need are more likely to be achieved.
GIVE PEOPLE CONTEXT
When people work remotely,
employees may focus on
their own goals and lose
sight of the group’s overall
objectives. Use meetings to
remind them how their goals
fit with the organization’s
wider purpose.
Tip
Leadership doesn’t
revolve around you;
rather, you bring who
you are and how you
lead to bear on
creating better
outcomes for others
Working with others
You can’t do everything yourself. Your success as a leader will depend
on your ability to get the best from others. Working remotely means
communication becomes more important than ever: to build trust, to
give a sense of shared purpose, and to make sure everyone feels
comfortable speaking up about what is and isn’t working.
Keeping yourself in the equation
Accepting you are not the focus of everything isn’t the same as removing
yourself from the equation. The Three O Model explains that while you may
not be the center, you’re still very much at the core. It’s key to communicate
your vision and values, so while it’s good to get input, be clear about your
expectations. When a decision sits with you, be seen to make the call.
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