Introduction
Leadership is a crucial element for success in any organization or endeavor. Being an effective leader requires developing a range of skills and abilities, from self-awareness and a clear sense of purpose to the ability to collaborate and inspire others toward a common goal. In this article, we will explore some key aspects of leadership and how they can be developed and honed over time.
- Reflect on yourself
- Embrace your purpose
- Collaborate with others
- Think beyond the present
The 1st Key Component of Great Leadership: Look In The Mirror
Leadership is a critical aspect of any organization, whether it’s a company or a government. Great leaders understand the importance of looking inward before looking outward. In this first section, we’ll explore what this means and how it can help you become a better leader.
Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York and Founder of Bloomberg L.P., summarizes his role as a leader perfectly: to recruit, attract, and compensate people; provide a moral compass; match skill sets to different needs in the organization, and ensure that they work collaboratively and collectively. To do this effectively, he must first look in the mirror and assess his own strengths and weaknesses. As a leader, it’s important to know your own limitations and strengths. It’s also essential to have a clear understanding of your values and principles so that you can provide a strong moral compass for your team.
Authenticity is key to being a great leader. You must be yourself and demonstrate a genuine belief in the organization’s purpose. When you show authenticity, you can make an emotional connection with your audience, whether it’s your customers or your employees. People want to follow leaders who are genuine and sincere.
Empowering others is a crucial aspect of leadership. It’s not about giving something to your team; it’s about helping them find the resources they need to empower themselves. Peter Guber, Chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, and Filmmaker, describes empowerment as helping people raise their sights and instilling belief and confidence in what they can do.
To be an inspirational leader, you must raise your own sights and empower yourself. Look in the mirror and assess your own strengths and weaknesses. Develop a clear understanding of your values and principles, and be authentic in your interactions with others. When you lead by example and empower others to do the same, you create a culture of trust, collaboration, and success.
Great leaders understand the importance of looking in the mirror before looking outward. They know their own limitations and strengths, have a clear understanding of their values and principles, and demonstrate authenticity in their interactions with others. By empowering themselves and others, they create a culture of trust and collaboration that leads to success. So, take a moment to look in the mirror and assess your own leadership skills. What can you do to become a better leader today?
The 2nd Key Component of Great Leadership: Embodying Purpose
Every great leader has a clear sense of purpose that drives their actions and inspires their followers. Purpose gives direction, meaning, and motivation to work toward a shared vision. As a leader, it is your responsibility to embody and communicate that purpose to your team.
Why is the “why” so important? Because people want to be part of something bigger than themselves. They want to know that their work matters and that they are contributing to a greater cause. By embodying purpose, you can give your team a sense of significance and a reason to strive for excellence.
Ken Blanchard, a renowned author, and teacher believes that purpose is crucial in leadership. He once gave out the final exam question paper on the first day of his class so that his students would know exactly what they were expected to learn. Ken’s purpose was clear: he wanted his students to succeed and learn. By knowing the outcome he desired, he was able to guide his students effectively and help them achieve their goals.
Indra Nooyi, the Chairman, and CEO of PepsiCo believe that purpose drives every aspect of what we do. Purpose informs our decisions and guides us toward our goals. But having a purpose is not enough. You also need a clear strategy to achieve your vision.
Strategy begins with assessing today’s reality, not tomorrow’s promise. You need to understand where you are before you can plan where you’re going. Rushing the process or ignoring reality can lead to failure. Just like a caterpillar cannot be a butterfly until it has gone through its transformation process, organizations need time to grow, transform, and progress into their next stage of development. By paying attention to your employees and customers and creating a virtuous circle of continuous improvement, you can achieve your goals and embody your purpose.
Great leaders embody purpose by having a clear vision, communicating it effectively, and guiding their team toward success. Purpose gives direction, meaning, and motivation to work toward a shared vision. By paying attention to reality and pacing your process appropriately, you can achieve your goals and transform your organization into a thriving, purpose-driven entity.
The 3rd Key Component of Great Leadership: Don’t Walk Alone
As a leader, one of the most important things you can do is to build trust with your team. When your team trusts what you say, they will believe in what you do. This is the foundation for building a successful team.
But being a leader is not about being the star player who scores all the points. It’s about helping others do their best. As a leader, you facilitate from the sidelines, but you are never removed from the front line. You are ultimately accountable for the results of the team. It’s the players who win games, but the coaches who lose them.
In business, the show comes first. If you have a great show, you will have a great business. But leaders who hold off all celebration and recognition until the end of the journey will likely find they are traveling alone. People want to know that they belong and that they matter. They want to contribute to something that is bigger than themselves—something with purpose and meaning, that makes the journey worthwhile, regardless of when (or if) the destination is reached.
Leadership fosters belonging and developing an emotional connection. When you say to your team, “Your contribution makes a difference” and “You are important,” what you’re really saying is “You are loved.” Showing your respect and appreciation for the team is transformational.
Listening is a key leadership skill. It involves observing with eyes and ears, detecting the texture and context that happens between the words. The talking part of a leader’s job is probably the smallest part. Listening to people gives you insights that you can’t get by reading. 80% Listening and 20% Talking.
As a leader, it’s important to make an emotional connection with your audience. Use stories, not bullet points, to make your message more memorable. When you walk into a room, before you even speak, people have already formed an opinion of you. Energy is what is projected, not just the words you say.
You cannot achieve success on your own. You need to build a team of people who trust and believe in you. By fostering a sense of belonging and emotional connection, and by being a good listener and communicator, you can build a successful team that will help you achieve your goals. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, and it’s important to celebrate and recognize the contributions of your team along the way.
The 4th Key Component of Great Leadership: Navigate Beyond The Horizon
As a leader, it’s important to always be looking beyond the horizon. You can’t simply rest on your laurels or be content with the status quo. To truly succeed, you need to constantly be seeking out new opportunities, exploring new avenues, and pushing yourself and your team to new heights.
One of the key ways to do this is to stay connected to the people around you. This means getting out from behind your desk and engaging with both your customers and your employees. By doing so, you can gain valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not, and you can use this knowledge to make informed decisions about how to move forward.
Another important aspect of navigating beyond the horizon is the willingness to learn from both successes and failures. A great coach always watches the tape after a game, regardless of the outcome. Similarly, as a leader, you should be constantly reflecting on your actions and decisions, looking for ways to improve and grow.
At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers. Wisdom comes from acknowledging what you don’t know and being open to learning from others. This means surrounding yourself with smart, talented people who can offer different perspectives and insights.
Ultimately, the key to navigating beyond the horizon is to define a common purpose that transcends individual self-interest to an organization’s shared interest. This means creating a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, where everyone is aligned around a common goal and working together to achieve it.
So, as a leader, be willing to take risks, explore new opportunities, and learn from both successes and failures. Stay connected to the people around you, and be open to learning from others. And above all, define a shared purpose that inspires and motivates your team to reach new heights. By doing so, you can navigate beyond the horizon and lead your organization to success.
Example: Lessons from Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is known for being the only consistently profitable airline for over four decades. This success can be attributed to their unique approach to business. At Southwest, they believe they are in the customer service business, not just the airline business. They want to make flying accessible to everyone and help people be with their loved ones during happy or sad times.
Their values are also crucial to their success. Safety is their number-one value, followed by a Warrior Spirit, which means giving your all to your job. The second value, a Servant’s Heart, is about hiring for character and training for skill. Southwest wants their employees to have a Fun-LUVing Attitude, which means taking their work seriously but not themselves.
Southwest’s “why” is what makes them successful. They understand that their number-one customer is their people, and by taking care of them, they will take care of their customers, who will in turn take care of their stockholders. Profit is the applause they receive for creating a motivating environment for their people. When the “why” is clear, performance soars.
Southwest’s approach to business has made them a leader in the industry, and their success proves that taking care of your people and customers is the key to success. By focusing on their “why,” they have created a culture where people are passionate about their work and take pride in making a difference in people’s lives.
Dive Deeper
Book Recommendation
I would highly recommend the book “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek. It delves into the importance of creating a supportive and empowering work environment where employees feel valued and motivated to contribute to the organization’s success. Sinek shares numerous examples of successful companies that have embraced this leadership style and explored the science behind why it works. The book is not only informative but also engaging and easy to read, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.
Here is a link to How great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek – https://youtu.be/qp0HIF3SfI4
Documentary/ Video
I would recommend the documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” as a great example of leadership. It showcases the story of Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master who runs a small, humble restaurant in Tokyo that has been awarded three Michelin stars. The documentary highlights Jiro’s dedication, focus, and passion for his craft, as well as his leadership in training his son and apprentices to continue the tradition of sushi-making. It’s a fascinating and inspiring story about what it takes to become a true leader in any field.
Here is a link to Youtube Video “Jiro Dreams of Sushi now on Netflix” – https://youtu.be/8R02NE050Jk
P.S. – This article is inspired by Gary D. Burnison’s book ‘The Leadership Journey: How to Master the Four Critical Areas of Being a Great Leader.’ All ideas presented here originate from the book and are written based on my understanding.
If this article resonated with you, you may also find this other piece of writing informative – 10 Fundamental Rules for a Meaningful and Successful Life
P. P. S. – Today we celebrate the day that “Prince The” was born and the world became a more fabulous place. Happy birthday, Prince Shah!