what all the best leaders have in common
So, we’ve established that the scale of global change is putting pressure on organisations. More than ever, businesses need effective leaders (and leadership teams) to navigate an increasingly brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible world. But how do you help your teams by becoming the best leader you can?
Well, leadership is about inspiration. It’s about creating an environment where you can be your best self – not your whole self, which is slightly different – but your best self. An environment in which you feel engaged, listened to, and – most importantly – as though you have the appropriate power to act on behalf of the organisation (and customer). Sounds simple, right? Well, not quite. Here’s how to become the best leader you can.
Be authentic
The best leaders lead from who they are, not from who they wish they were. They can see where they need to improve, but they are not trying to be something they’re not. You can’t put on your leadership armour in the morning and expect to get consistently great results. Instead, you need to tap into the who and why of you. Your life experiences have shaped you. Notice and reflect on what makes you you. Then consciously decide which strengths to draw on.
In other words, great leaders self-reflect. They look inwards.
Embrace team connections
Brené Brown has written and talked extensively about what lies at the root of social connection: vulnerability. Being vulnerable is about having the courage to be imperfect. It’s about believing you are enough, just the way you are. This authenticity builds two things that are essential for every great leader: trust and connection. When you allow yourself to be seen, a domino effect sets in motion. Your colleagues start to understand you better, trust increases, your relationships get stronger, you work better together, and outcomes improve.
At the same time, you need to put yourself in other people’s shoes. Be curious about who they really are, at a personal level. At a department level, find out why they do what they do and what they need to do their job well. How does that affect you? How can you help? You don’t lead in a bubble, you lead in a system, so you need to understand that system. Look at the big picture: how and where does work flow through the organisation? Where does it get stuck? Notice what gets in the way. Then act. You are a leader. You can lead the way.
Be adaptive
Good leaders know that embracing uncertainty – and being able to pivot if needs be – is the key to long-term success. It’s impossible to lead effectively in today’s world without adapting. You can offer a touchpoint of certainty – of direction – simply by being sure of how, and why, this change of plan needs to happen. But whatever you do, don’t be afraid to change tack. It’s courageous to try things out and see if they work (or don’t).
Balance leadership with management
Leadership sits alongside management. This is the part of the job in which you create the capacity to lead. Common ways of working – the way you run your meetings, how you plan and review progress, make decisions – all help create focus, smoothing the pathway to impactful leadership. This is the framework you and your teams operate within, creating space for thinking, debating, and leading.
Know when to be a follower
Just because you’re leading doesn’t mean you know everything. Good leaders know when to step back and defer to an expert. They know that to be a good leader, they also need to be a good follower. Because followership and leadership are intimately connected: it’s all about humility, about knowing the strength of your team.
In the words of Nelson Mandela: "a leader... is like a shepherd. [They] stay behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind."
Consider workplace culture
Leadership directly influences workplace culture. If the leadership is good? You get a reduced turnover, and a more engaged workforce. With poor leadership comes employee dissatisfaction, discouraged honesty from the team and an unhealthy workplace culture.
Be yourself
To know and value yourself takes courage. This doesn’t mean listing your strengths and weaknesses. It means deep reflection on what drives the way you behave and how this impacts your leadership style. Psychometrics can be helpful, and getting feedback after being observed in a meeting can be eye-opening. But you also need to take a step back and look at your leadership journey.
Remember these two things: know yourself and be yourself. Lead with authenticity and conviction and you’ll be in the best position to succeed.
To read more, here’s a real-world example of designing and delivering a bespoke retail leadership programme. Get in touch to learn more about our leadership team development programmes.