A genuine leader has the ability to inspire and influence others. People naturally gravitate towards leaders who lead by example, rather than just preach. It’s crucial for individuals in leadership roles to be mindful of their actions and the impact they have on those around them.
As a mentor, I often caution my mentees to avoid managers who lead through fear and control. True leadership is not about exerting power but about setting an example and building a strong personal brand through genuine actions.
Employees closely observe their leaders and take cues from their behavior. It’s essential for leaders to be approachable and trustworthy, as employees look up to them for guidance and inspiration. A leader’s actions and values should align to foster a strong connection with their team.
Leaders must prioritize listening to others’ perceptions of their brand and reputation. Your brand is defined by your actions, while your reputation is shaped by how others perceive and share their experiences with you.
It’s important to distinguish between managing and leading. While management is crucial, true leadership is about inspiring and rallying people around a common goal. The pandemic accelerated the need for leaders to actively engage and build relationships using digital tools. It’s no longer sufficient to rely on physical proximity; leaders must proactively utilize digital platforms to connect and engage with their teams and peers.
The change for change’s sake, fail-fast, break things, course correction, and re-orgs culture aren’t all they are cracked up to be…
“Were more leaders to be guided by the science of change, or by the stories that people on the front lines share, they would quickly discover that it is stability that is the foundation of improvement. Only once we begin to honor people’s psychological needs at work, by thinking twice before launching into the next shiny change initiative and by paying more heed to the rituals and relationships that allow all of us to point our efforts in a useful direction, can we begin to do justice to the idea that a company must be, first, a platform for human contribution if it is to be anything else at all.” ~Ashley Goodall
In my opinion, effective leaders understand the significance of nurturing relationships, the impact of their daily interactions, and the true value of RETURN ON RELATIONSHIP. By focusing on building authentic connections and engagement, leaders can cultivate long-term value and loyalty, transcending mere financial gains.
RETURN ON RELATIONSHIP adds more to ROI than meets the eye.