Batiste on Creating a High-Performing Team
Major General John Batiste (U.S. Army, retired) addressed MSCI’s Specialty Metals Division Conference in March and discussed how to be a leader that creates a high-performing team. Batiste served in the U.S. Army for three decades, finishing his career as commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division. During his time as a combat commander, the 1st Infantry Division was deployed to Kosovo, Turkey and Iraq. Batiste also served in Operations Desert Shield and Storm (1990-1991) and Operation Iraqi Freedom 2 (2004-2005).
Batiste advised executives to view leadership as a journey; a mountain where there is no summit. Creating a culture where employees share ideas and reject silos takes constant care by leaders.
That daily attention does not mean leaders are the only ones calling the shots, however. Employees know what needs to be done and should be given the freedom to do their jobs. Batiste said good leaders encourage and reward initiative, get comfortable with empowering others and give employees room to speak up. He also emphasized the need to “build psychological safety,” which includes showing personal fallibility and curiosity and building an environment where learning experiences are plentiful.
Batiste also discussed MSCI’s Battle Tested Leadership Principles for Metals Executives, content provided by the Thayer Leader Development Group, at United States Military Academy in New York, calling it an “excellent opportunity” for leadership development. (Individuals interested in this program can register for two upcoming sessions – Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2019 and Oct. 14-16, 2019 – by clicking here.)
If you missed MSCI’s Specialty Metals Division Conference and Batiste’s excellent discussion on leadership, don’t worry. MSCI’s events strive to bring you thought leadership sessions you can’t get elsewhere, with top business or military leaders who share insight about what it takes to build a successful organization.
Next up: our Annual Meeting, May 5-7 in Carlsbad, Calif., which will feature U.S. Army Colonel (Retired) Greg Gadson who was Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32 Field Artillery in Iraq when he was severely wounded by an IED resulting in the loss of both legs above the knee and a severely damaged right arm and hand. Refusing to be defined by the proverbial “hail of bullets,” Gadson has since drawn upon the lessons of Pride, Poise, and Team learned as a West Point linebacker and applied them to his life, his career and his family. Gadson willshare leadership principles on how to overcome adversity, demonstrate courage, perseverance, determination and teamwork. Click here to learn more about Gadson and to register for our Annual Meeting.