I am reminded that there is no one-size-fits-all method for being a great leader when I consider the leaders who have had the biggest and most enduring influence on my life. Different organizational kinds and sizes, industries, and sectors frequently have quite different leadership styles and methods. Furthermore, success as a leader in one situation does not always translate to success in another. Nonetheless, I’ve noticed that the most influential leaders in my life have a lot in common.
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Five Qualities And Capabilities
What then distinguishes highly influential leaders?
Gaining expertise in and putting into practice the following traits and competences can help you succeed and leave an enduring impression on your followers, even though they are not a solution for all of the complexity and difficulties you may encounter as a leader:
1. Develop emotional dexterity.
Effective leaders must cultivate and hone their emotional agility. Writers for the Harvard Business Review recently said, “Effective leaders don’t buy into or try to suppress their inner experiences” (registration needed). Rather, they approach challenges with awareness, motivation from their beliefs, and productivity — creating what is known as emotional agility. This capacity to control one’s thoughts and emotions is crucial for corporate success in our intricate, rapidly evolving information economy.
To truly connect with and lead our people, we must first have a thorough understanding of our own inner workings. This includes knowing what motivates us, how we handle pressure, what circumstances bring out the best and worst in us, and how we prefer to lead and be led. We can take better care of ourselves as we get a deeper understanding of these and other facets of who we are. We will also be in a better position to demonstrate true empathy, develop emotional agility, and comprehend and assist our people more effectively.
2. Clearly define your goal and meaning.
Effective leaders must give their followers a distinct meaning and purpose. Dr. Ulrich, co-author of The Why of Work, Wendy Ulrich, says, “People find meaning when they see a clear connection between what they highly value and what they spend time doing.” This was said in a recent Forbes interview. But sometimes that relationship is not immediately apparent. A company’s values may be clearly expressed by its leaders, and they can also help to tell the story of how the work being done today relates to those principles. This entails telling tales of how the business is positively impacting the lives of actual people, such as clients, staff members, and communities.
As leaders—formal and informal—we have the duty and opportunity to help our team members connect with the organization’s and its values and create an environment where they may discover meaning and purpose in their own work. Higher levels of sustained motivation, creativity, and general performance will result from this.
3. Apply the systems thinking technique.
Effective leaders must engage in systems thinking and assist others in seeing the links between seemingly unrelated tasks and endeavors as long as they support the goals and objectives of the company. I made the case that modern organizations work in ecosystems with ongoing feedback loops and interconnection in a recent Forbes piece. Leaders in organizations may navigate into adaptive tactics by mapping such complicated networks. The capacity of businesses to adjust and modify some aspects of their organization quickly and in response to changes in ecosystems is the ultimate benefit.
Being leaders means having a broad perspective and having to explain to our team members how their work in their functional area fits into the larger organizational plan, the competitive advantage of the firm, and the work of their peers. You will assist your people in becoming into integrative problem solvers, innovators, and systems thinkers as you model systems thinking.
4. Adopt a transparent and open mindset.
Once your team has mastered emotional agility, had a clear meaning and purpose, and encouraged systems thinking, it is critical that you establish and uphold an open and transparent culture. “Transparent leadership allows employees to be more honest about their individual viewpoints and more open about expressing them in a public dialogue,” according to the author of an Entrepreneur article. The more transparency and integrity you foster within your team, the quicker you’ll be able to collaborate to accomplish a shared objective.
Instead of hoarding knowledge in order to control others, high-impact leaders function as a central point for information exchange. You will gain more trust as you work to create an environment that is open and transparent, and your team and individuals will prosper.
5. Show genuine concern.
Ultimately, leaders that have an influence must genuinely care about their followers. According to Dede Henley, who recently wrote for Forbes, “people are more productive when they feel safe in their work environment and when they feel that it’s safe for them to show up and fully be themselves.” They are aware that it is acceptable for them to bring their worries, talents, weaknesses, and inventiveness to work. You cannot pretend to be genuine, and if you are not real, your people will be able to tell. However, when you show genuine concern, your people will feel encouraged and empowered, free to be who they truly are.
In summary
A multitude of hurdles and increased organizational complexity confront leaders as they work to help their companies establish, preserve, and expand their competitive edge. Regretfully, there’s no fast way to being a truly influential leader. Being diligent and reflecting on oneself are necessary for advancing into a leadership position. Of course, you must become knowledgeable about the specifics of your company, but even more so, you must become acquainted with your employees and develop an honest, caring, and open line of communication with them. Everyone will prosper if you provide them and their job a sense of direction and significance.
