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Successful leaders only do three things…

Written by: Kai Murray
Published on: 30 Aug 2017
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    As an Executive Coach/Non-Exec Director, I often ask business leaders what they believe their job entails.  The answers are many and varied, but not infrequently consist of the same old clichés: “Leaders lead, managers manage”, “Leaders are born, not made”, “Leaders give 110%”, etc.

    There are numerous books and courses on leadership, yet, perhaps as a result, these clichés still abound and consequently key individuals in many businesses fail to exhibit the skills their companies sorely need.  Instead, they tie themselves in knots, trying to absorb the newest leadership fads and then blend them into a strategy in the (invariably mistaken) belief that this mélange of ideas will, somehow or other, power their business forward.

    However, the best leaders only do three things.

    Set the context

    Manage the energy

    Coach don’t play

    Let’s look at these in more detail…

    Setting the context is all about building a sustainable culture.

    This is particularly important in today’s uncertain business climate. In challenging times, successful leaders are those that keep the focus on their organisation’s sense of purpose and direction.

    This, in turn, is about creating a common purpose that, ultimately, deepens trust throughout the business. Consequently, everyone starts to share the same values and aspirations and begins to move and work in the same direction.

    Developing this sustainable culture is about the choices a leader has made, is making now and will make in the future, and the behaviours that result from these decisions. Good leaders build trust and create a circle of security. They promote sharing and collaboration. They have both backbone and heart. Cumulatively, these things create the conditions where good behaviours proliferate and become a self-sustaining motor for growth.

    Managing energy starts when you realise that if you can’t manage your own, how will you manage your team’s energy?  Subsequently, it’s about communication and connection.  We can all (usually) communicate with someone else, but not everyone can connect with an audience. Good leaders do both.

    Good leaders are also consistently honest in their communications about how their business is doing.  For example, does your organisation avoid talking about what’s not happening, but should?  How often does your organisation communicate during periods of uncertainty?  Are your communications taken seriously?

    Strong leaders tend to focus more on communication during periods of uncertainty, explaining ‘why’ when essential change is needed and involving their people in the decision-making process.  They don’t avoid the issue of what’s not happening; they talk about what is  - and ought to be – happening. 

    The language used to communicate is very important.  To change behaviours we must first consider, and if necessary change, the language used, and this starts at the top. Too often the language of blame infests businesses from the senior management team down, creating a toxic culture and, in the long run, sowing the seeds of destruction.

    Connection begins when there is mutual respect and loyalty.  Connecting with your colleagues builds their trust in you and vice versa.  For true leaders, this is not about power and control but about adding value to the work of others and helping them grow in every aspect of their lives.

    Connection is not just vital for internal communication.  It is also important for a business leader to be aware that the firm’s values are what the customers buy into and consequently, especially when times are tough, it’s vital to continue to maintain, communicate and promote them consistently and clearly.

    Coach don’t play is best illustrated via that well-known proverb, “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life”.  This is where clever and skillful communication and connection, as described above, come into play.  Good leaders coach by giving of their time and energy. With trust, confidence, communication and connection in place, managers and other leaders lower down the chain will follow your lead, giving their own teams their time and energy. These good behaviours will feed through the organisation and, as noted above, proliferate and become a vital, self-sustaining engine for growth.

    That’s it – three things – simple! The only thing left to do now is ask yourself, “as a leader, what am I focused upon?”  Decide that, then go and make things happen.

    Kai Murray, Shirlaws Group