--- title: Skills and Tools of Becoming an “Activist Leader” description: In Advantexe's latest blog post, we present three things that you can do to become an Activist Leader image: https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/activist-leadership.png --- [![logo-advantexe-150.png](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-advantexe-150.png?width=150&height=123&name=logo-advantexe-150.png "logo-advantexe-150.png")](https://www.advantexe.com) ![blog-banner-2022](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-banner-2022.png?width=973&name=blog-banner-2022.png "blog-banner-2022") ### The Advantexe Advisor Blog - providing a deep and applicable understanding of the system of business. # Skills and Tools of Becoming an “Activist Leader” By Robert Brodo | Nov 21, 2019 7:50:49 AM | [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-become-an-activist-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-become-an-activist-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-become-an-activist-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-become-an-activist-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Skills%20and%20Tools%20of%20Becoming%20an%20%E2%80%9CActivist%20Leader%E2%80%9D) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-become-an-activist-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-become-an-activist-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advantexe.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-become-an-activist-leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) In the world of leadership development, it is quite rare to come across a new and fresh topic that has ![activist-leadership](https://www.advantexe.com/hs-fs/hubfs/activist-leadership.png?width=285&name=activist-leadership.png)mass applicability.  By sheer virtue of the number of books, magazines, and other outlets there is obviously enough “new” things to go around every day, week, and month, but in all reality too much of it is the same old thing repackaged. That’s why I was so excited to learn something new from a participant of one of my [leadership development programs](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/the-next-leadership-training-development-challenges) when he shared his insights on a topic he calls becoming an “Activist Leader.” As most of us are painfully aware, the “Activist Investor” has creeped into the business lexicon and has disrupted the way companies operate. An [Activist Investor](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/understanding-the-mindset-of-activist-investors) is a person or group of investors who aggressively push an agenda of “unlocking value” in companies by selling off or diversifying assets to optimize shareholder returns.  In the most common examples, Activist Investors attack companies that have a portfolio of businesses that are supported by “central services” of functions such as R&D, Marketing, HR, and other areas that can be spread across multiple business units. Restructuring and resizing conglomerates is a common architype. The Activist Investor believes that this is a wasted business model because it doesn’t allow the business units to set their own unique strategy and execute that strategy flawlessly though efficient operations, decision making, and acceleration of products and services to market. In a play on words and concept, and based on the approach of the Activist Investor, here are three things that you can do to become an Activist Leader: **Unlock Value of Your People by Providing Clarity of Role and Objectives** Like businesses that get slogged down in bureaucracy and mixed messages of strategy execution, so do people.  Activist Leaders are very clear on the roles and objectives of their people which in turn, unlocks their real value.  Take some time to look at your team. Are they performing up to expectations?  If not, ask your self the question: have you presented them with clarity of role and clear direction that is consistent with the strategy of the business. The worst thing that can happen is that your people are trying to execute multiple strategies and if that is the case, you are destroying value, not creating it. **Accelerate Execution and Accelerate Results** Once you’ve determined the clear goals and objectives, a leader’s job is to accelerate the [execution of the strategy](https://www.advantexe.com/blog/strategy-execution-four-critical-things-all-employees-need-to-know) which in turn will accelerate results.  How do you do this? Focus your people on the priorities of execution.  Have your team develop detailed plans of action that are realistic and time based.  This approach allows you to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your team and focus on the skills and will of each individual for coaching through the execution. **Accelerated Coaching** The third element of the Activist Leader is accelerated coaching.  If there is clarity on roles and objectives, and there is the opportunity for accelerated execution and results, then everything is set for a great leader to provide great coaching.  The data should be clear and accessible and if there are coaching opportunities utilizing simple tools like the GROW model can be very effective. You can link GROW (Goals, Realistic Assessment of Situation, Objectives, Way Forward) back to the strategy and again accelerate the process for enhanced results. [![why-does-leadership-matter-infographic](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1153922/fbd89c66-cbf9-4ff7-9658-a7aaeaedee14.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1153922/fbd89c66-cbf9-4ff7-9658-a7aaeaedee14) ![Robert Brodo](https://www.advantexe.com/hubfs/Blogs/rob-brodo-author.png) **About The Author** Robert Brodo is co-founder of Advantexe. He has more than 20 years of training and business simulation experience. [**](https://www.advantexe.com) [**](https://twitter.com/robrodo) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/rob-brodo/0/334/574) COMMENTS ### SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL ### About Advantexe Advantexe is a gold medal winning training and performance improvement organization specializing in the development and delivery of interactive learning journeys using computer-based business simulations as the catalyst for learning and change in the areas of: Business Acumen, Business Leadership, and Strategic Business Selling learning solutions. 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