What kind of leader are you and who do you want to be?
When you think of the person/people who have inspired you most – what are their defining characteristics, traits, behaviours, style of communication?
Now and often most often top of mind – Ask yourself the above questions for those who have not inspired, left a negative impact and whom you vowed you would never be like as a leader?
‘Leadership is truly a journey of self discovery and no one is ever truly at the destination’
All too often we hear stories from people we work with about those that have failed to inspire, left people feeling damaged in some way/perhaps doubting their own self confidence and as a leader this is unacceptable.
‘If we ever doubt the influence and impact we have as Leader, we make a grave mistake – at someone else’s expense’
TRAITS THAT LEAD TO DIS-ENGAGEMENT & A CULTURE OF FEAR:
- The traits that define leaders who create a negative/ unsafe space for others typically include the following:
- A self before others philosophy ‘I vs We’
- Protects information and limits communication around the business, numbers and how things are tracking. (closed leadership circle)
- Failure to recognise/acknowledge others for their success/ contributions
- An inability to acknowledge mistakes/ change direction or accept others input
- A lack of self- control in terms of managing frustrations/personality clashes and failure to think before considering the impact of what they are about to say
- The belief that they know best and a control/ command approach to managing others
- A lack of trust in others – believing that they need to be across every detail and creating a suffocating environment that breeds a lack of ownership/ creativity and often correlates with low engagement levels. Often these people do not manage outcomes and rather actions.
- Inability to flex and adapt to situations, adapt style to people and have their thinking challenged
- A fear/ resistance to change and learning
TRAITS THAT FOSTER HIGH PERFORMING TEAMS, BUSINESSES & BREED SUCCESS:
- A ‘We’ before ‘I ‘philosophy
- Open dialogue and clear vision shared, business information communicated
- Acknowledges and celebrates success and contributions regularly
- Comfortable with vulnerability and able to acknowledge gaps in knowledge, ask for help and for others input and change direction, as needed
- High self-awareness and the ability to keep emotions in check, be the calm in the storm and operate clearly under pressure
- The belief that diversity of thought is the key to success and a collaborative and challenging style that helps others to come to conclusions, challenges thinking in the right way and provides stretch and growth in doing so
- High trust in others and their ability to play their part, contribute and then hold people accountable for outcomes and achieving goals, without managing the smaller detail day to day and empowering others to succeed, with support as required. (breeds high trust, ownership and engagement)
- Dynamic, with the ability to adapt and with an understanding that every individual will need something different in terms of support, stretch and style of communication.
- View change as necessary and a challenge and are committed and open to ongoing self learning/ stretch and are excited by this.
5 must have traits of successful leaders
What kind of leader are you today? /What kind of leader do you strive to be tomorrow?
‘The joy of leadership for me is watching others tackle their challenges, fears and overcome these, on a continuum of growth and helping them to be the best version of themselves, whilst maximising their natural talent and potential, in a safe environment that allows for failure and learning’.
Highly recommend the following reads to start your next phase of the journey and discover who you want to be as a leader:
10 Steps to Developing Your Leadership
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About 360 Assessments But Were Afraid To Ask
For more information about your leadership journey, how to select and work with a coach/ a discussion about where to start contact Michelle Visser – Director at Fusion Partners.
