So You Think You Can lead? Really?
Updated: Feb 18, 2024
Written by: Simon Haigh, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In this article, we look at four key traits of effective leaders: calmness, the ability to listen, the importance of being measured, and resilience. Effective leadership needs to of course align with, and support, the prevailing organisational values, and their outward projection also need to resonate in accordance with the particularly organisational ethos and culture.
We tend to follow those who are calm in face of turbulence (so calmness in a leader is important to us). We follow those who can listen, discern and act (so listening is a key trait). We follow those who are measured in their response, they are never erratic (so being measured as a leader is very important to us). Finally, we follow those who are resilient and unwavering under pressure (resilience is a key trait).
So, resilience is important, and newly onboarded employees should be able to display the four key traits of leadership so that they can be optimal value to a business and give themselves the best chance of progressing within the organisation and in their career.
CALMNESS in a leader can manifest as level headed, pragmatic, and fact-based approach to situations.
LISTENING SKILLS in a leader manifest as truly empathetic listening - picking up on all the nuances, emotions, desires, demands, and objections within and outside the business.
MEASURED in the context of a leader equates to being considered in their approach - taking account of all relevant facts at hand and then taking a level-headed approach to the next appropriate steps.
RESILIENCE in a leader is having and displaying a capacity to cope with the inevitable pressures that exist within a work environment.
Most importantly, with these 4 traits under control, good leaders are able to unleash the power of the fifth trait - Vision. A leader who demonstrates the first 4 traits and then delivers the fifth trait of Vision will gain the trust, belief, and attention of engaged followers. These traits are all learnt traits. We all may have one or two of these traits, but if we can build all five then we stand out from the crowd as a leader.
A newly onboarded employee should, particularly after a few months in an organisation start demonstrating the trait of vision - positively influencing others in respect of a particular aspect of work activity for the good of the overall organisation.
What are the right values necessary for growth? Well, they are:
Recognising that all employees are different, each possessing unique talents and abilities,
Holding intense core values and ensuring those values they are simple and measurable,
Celebrating success and consistently reviewing progress both formally and informally,
Being open and communicating effectively to increase morale and productivity,
Empowering employees to solve their own problems.
Embedding mutual confidence and trust, and finally,
Fostering Teamwork, Respect, Enthusiasm, Integrity, and Honesty.
In summary, leadership resilience will be best displayed by those leaders who display clarity of thought, effective communication, and strong but compassionate decision-making. Tough decisions MUST be made but in a respectful way - driving forward inspirationally with imperfect information.
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Simon Haigh, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Simon Haigh, known as The Growth Strategist, helps organizations and leaders unlock, build and sustain business, leadership, brand, and mindset growth through his coaching, consulting, training, publications, speaking, and e-learning programs. Simon’s clients include high-performing leaders, companies, business schools, professional organizations & Government bodies globally. His work is endorsed by world no. 1 leadership thinker Marshall Goldsmith. He is nominated by PeopleHum Top 200 Influential Thought Leaders 2021, Thinkers 360 4 Sales, 9 Entrepreneurship, 10 Legal & IP, 13 Health & Wellness, 33 Mental Health, 37 Management & 47 Emerging Tech, and featured in the PeopleHum Top 100 Thought Leader series for Mindful Negotiation. He has also been featured on numerous global TV and radio outlets, and two of his three Amazon 5 Star books – How to be a Better Dealcloser and Dealmaking for Corporate Growth, are endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith, and he is an associate member of the Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Organisation. Simon is also an acclaimed Keynote Speaker.
