After much debate, and honest conversations, they agreed on a simple but powerful charter for how they will lead together. It wasn’t quick work.

It took courage … to look in the mirror and to own some uncomfortable truths about themselves.

Discipline too … to stick with the process and to make very clear commitments.

Once again I was struck by how much this kind of clarity matters. Executives underestimate how much their behaviour shapes the climate for others.

Leadership is experienced by others through how you behave. The people you lead don’t have access to your thoughts or intentions. Only your behaviours. How you show up therefore really matters.

The charter we created is practical, not lofty.

Sometimes I hear executives say they don’t have time for this. They’re too busy with the “real work” of running the business.

But this is the real work.

By investing in this team has done so much more than draft a piece of paper.

This is leadership in its most practical sense. Now they have a mirror to look into. And they’ve given the rest of the organisation a clear signal of what leadership looks like in action.

I’m proud of this team.

I’m proud of how they went about it. How they kept it real and simple, and how they bypassed the cliches, slogans and the catchphrases. They displayed conviction and they were straightforward with each other.

What they created together will guide and serve them admirably in the months and years ahead.

Have you done this work with your team?

Have you agreed – not just your strategy, but how you will behave as leaders?

What will you no longer tolerate?

I invite you to have a go. To make your own statement about what you stand for. No superficial slogans, platitudes or ‘touchy feely’ stuff. Just simple language that captures how you will show up every day, set the tone and lead.

I wish you luck. The rewards are immense.