This pandemic has certainly separated the wheat from the chaff in terms of leaders. It is evident from the top leaders who have stood up with grace, integrity and purpose to unite people, empathize with people and move forward with purpose. Then sadly you have the opposite – the leaders who have failed their people, failed to unite and generally flailed about with no sense of purpose, direction or integrity. I’m sure you have examples in both camps that come immediately to mind.
In the current climate, change is a given. Adaptability is a must. How adaptable are you? Are you willing to break plans as well as make them? Are you willing to overhaul systems that no longer serve your team?
With regards to those you lead – how are you treating them? Are you aware of how they are coping? Do you empathize with their current situation whatever it may be? Are you aware full stop?
Leaders today need to allow open communication for psychological safety if they want to get the best from their team and their colleagues. They have to acknowledge failure and embrace it, as well as embracing disagreement or alternative points of view. The power-hungry dictator style is NEVER going to bring you success long term.
Great leaders are not threatened by others. Great leaders unite not divide. Great leaders innovate. Great leaders allow and encourage mistakes as opportunities to learn. Great leaders encourage healthy open debate. Great leaders are humble. Great leaders listen intently. I could go on!
What type of a leader are you at present? What traits do you think you may need to develop? When was the last time you addressed that question? Well, hopefully the following three questions may form the basis of a quick leadership review. I would suggest taking your time to answer them. Reflect on them, maybe sleep on them and perhaps take some notes on what you want to implement.
- Am I displaying/living by my current set of values? (beginning with the premise that I am clear on my values.)
- What are my current beliefs around my leadership style? Do I need to change them?
- What one area of leadership do I most need to work on right now?
In the Emotions and Behaviours at work psychometric assessment, you will receive an in-depth report of the following 8 traits that predict success in the workplace: Motivation, adaptability, decisiveness, empathy, self-awareness, influence, conscientiousness and resilience.
Now I can tell you something I know for sure – people I have worked with who have taken a detailed look at their levels of self-awareness and how they measure up in each of these 8 traits, have made immeasurable improvements to their impact as a leader and their own happiness as well.
When you develop self-awareness and EQ in general, you understand what you need to do in order to be the best version of yourself. You understand what drives you. You understand what areas require development, but also where your strengths lie and how to optimize them for even greater benefits. You understand what you need to do in order to manage your emotions and behaviours to get the best out of yourself and others.
Taking time to review your leadership style and your emotions and behaviours is an excellent use of your time. Now more than ever we need leaders of integrity. What do you want your legacy to be?
