Leadership holds unique challenges for an individual. While a single person can never be the sole cause for a team’s performance, leaders are in a position to harness the collective potential or waste it. Sometimes seen only as position of authority, in practice leadership is often more about assuming responsibility, having a big-picture vision and being able to amplify collective strengths.
When discussing leadership, one of the basic things to realize is that this is a role that most of us perform at some point in life. Whether it is among friends or family, there is always something that we are in a position to advise or guide the group about, more so than others. Usually we are not intimidated by such instances and don’t think about it twice. However, when we assume a more formal leadership role, there are some important things to bear in mind to get it right. My life experience in leading teams has taught me that soft skills and acting as an enabler goes a long way to ensuring success.
In my younger years, especially when I was part of teams as a junior member, the leadership role and group hierarchy was quite regimented. It was not the case that this was due to a lack of profound thinking about management. On the contrary such an approach was quite effective for the time. With a relatively slower rate at which new technologies became available an emphasis on stability, rather than agility, was natural. The more military style division of responsibilities and team structures suited the business style of that age.
Currently, I feel the best way for organizations to be competitive is innovation. By its very nature, this approach requires teams to think on their feet and evolve in response to opportunities. The emphasis on innovation also creates situations in which the skills of a relatively inexperienced team member could be in more keeping with the times and crucial to success. In such instances, the modern leader is far more effective as an empowering mentor, than someone who enforces instructions or rules. As a matter of fact, this is not just limited to the new skillsets being brought into the organization by relative newcomers. I have had the good fortune of working with outstanding colleagues and team members. I would go so far as to say that a defining element in the success that has come my way has been the advice and contributions of those that I have been in a formal position to lead. These have often been individuals with at least as much experience as me and sometimes considerably more. In such situations, taking the approach that leadership equates authority would be foolish and arrogant.
Each leadership role comes with its unique set of challenges and opportunities. In my opinion, however, there are some key essentials that can be used as a guide and framework to perform well as a leader.
- Creating a unified vision and an atmosphere of trust: We have all heard proverbs and sayings that emphasize the fact that a collective is more than the sum of its parts. This wisdom is shared repeatedly and across cultures because it is the best way for groups of humans to organize themselves. Each individual in a team must buy into both the big picture strategy as well as their own role in it. Creating a team built on mutual respect and trust is the only way to achieve this. I would go as far as to say that this is the most important contribution that a good leader makes to their team.
- Clarity, Commitment and Decisiveness. Once you have taken on a formal leadership position, it is human nature that your personality will reflect in the teams as well. If a leader is to inspire and empower their team, having clarity in vision themselves is crucial. One of the best ways you can prepare yourself for a position of responsibility is to visualize your goals in careful detail and commit to the things that need to be done to achieve them. True decisiveness, as opposed to making stubborn presumptions, comes from having considered your options deeply.
- Empathy, Compassion and Emotional Intelligence. Management jargon can often try to convince you that you are part of a machine. While this can be helpful in understanding the role of teams within the organization, one should never lose focus of the fact that teams consist of people. In my experience, understanding your team members, communicating well with them and being able to nurture relationships can go a long way. Working effectively towards a common goal is about creating a real human context in which each person can invest their individual contribution.
- Creating Positivity and Passion. Creating positivity that drives performance and a passion to achieve is not about demanding everyone acts in a particular way. I find that the most effective way to achieve this mindset as a group is by taking pride in outcomes. One of the best ways in which leaders can help create a sense of pride is by valuing the contribution of each colleague and team member. People who feel that their efforts are valued are naturally passionate and positive about performing their roles.
- Active Communication that is a True and Honest Exchange. Relating leadership to communication is well understood as a concept. However, it is surprising how often this is assumed to be top down communication alone. The truth is a leader is in the unique position of getting feedback from every section of the organization. One of the most critical roles a leader can perform is to listen attentively to these opinions and suggestions, and make decisions on their basis.
Effective leadership is as much about earning the respect and trust of your colleagues as it is about making good decisions. Neither aspect is more or less important. Fortunately, I have found that both aspects are actually mutually empowering if a human and humble approach is taken to leadership. When the collective is based on relationships, the role of a leader becomes one of enabling individuals and big-picture vision. In today’s world of adaptability and innovation, taking this approach is not only the most effective one, it is also the most fulfilling.
