Someone once asked me to pick one behavior that defines the most effective leaders. Without hesitation, I responded with one word: context.

At Catholic Leadership Institute, we insist that leadership isn’t normative, it’s prescriptive. A leader should never rest on her or his “style” but rather constantly be discerning the context in which they find themselves and responding to the needs of the moment. Leaders who effectively assess and consistently provide context – the “why” of a project or effort – to those they serve alongside are often the individuals who become invaluable. Here are three aspects of context to consider in any leadership role.

• Sharing ‘why’ levels the playing field. 
  When we provide context, we do not make assumptions about what others know or believe. We don’t assume their reasons or presume their motivations. Often, conflict arises based on misaligned expectations. Reminding others about the “why” of an effort – especially as new individuals join – will help to close those expectation gaps.
   
• Reminding ‘why’ pushes us through challenges.
  Understanding one’s relevance to a community, a mission or even a small project is one of the most intrinsically motivating things we can do as leaders. When people know why they are important and why what they are working on is important, it can give that extra push needed to get over barriers, setbacks or interpersonal tensions that occur in group dynamics.
   
• Grounding ourselves in the ‘why’ ensures we respond rather than react. 
  Things are inevitably going to happen differently than we plan. When something unforeseen or unfortunate comes our way, grounding ourselves and others in the overall “why” will help us choose the best way forward.

Remember that a good nickname for leaders is “chief reminding officers.” Throughout your next project, make sure you’re doing everything you can, as often as you can, to communicate the vision that undergirds all that your team is working toward.