4 Hard Truths That Will Improve Your Leadership Skills
Marcel Schwantes
My keynotes, coaching, and courses solve challenging people and leadership problems.
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Remember those scratchy vinyl?records that would skip back and play the same thing over and over until you moved the needle forward? (I know I'm showing my age, so play along.)
Well, the Gallup Organization has been playing a tune now for well over three decades, one that sure sounds a lot like a scratchy record that won't move forward. You know it well--roughly 30 percent of employees?in the U.S. are actually engaged in their work. Part of that scratchy record that keeps skipping incessantly is a line from this familiar chorus: People leave managers, not companies.
We've known these things for a while, and yet we can't seem to solve the leadership crisis that will result in happy, engaged, and motivated workers.
That's because most people in positions of power don't have a clear?understanding of what it truly?takes to influence others. You don't manage people; you lead people and manage the work.
4 Hard Truths About Leadership
If you find yourself in the precarious position of wondering where you stand as a leader, at some point, you must face some hard truths about what it takes to motivate and inspire others on a human, emotional, and psychological level.?
1. Eliminate fear
In?traditional top-down power structures, bosses use positional power and control to "drive" people to results. Fear is par?for the course as the primary?motivator. In today's?social economy,?servant leaders?create psychological safety by pumping fear from the atmosphere to liberate their?people to collaborate, innovate, and engage freely to do their best work.
2. Build trust
Every leader needs to ask a very important, look-in-the-mirror question:?"Does my behavior increase trust?" If you are considering elevating your leadership skills, trust is a pillar your leadership should stand on.?It's the kind of trust that is developed when leaders confront reality, talk straight, display authenticity, and practice accountability.
3. Listen to feedback
Many leaders don't want to listen to ideas, opinions, and constructive feedback from?others about their own leadership. For such leaders, cutting themselves off means that they operate in an ego-system, not an ecosystem.?A leader who listens well, on the other hand, is open and accountable; they filter out criticism or drama and find the facts in order to respond appropriately to serve the needs of others. They probe and ask questions until they?get clarification; they listen to understand--with?a focus on the future,?not on a rehash of the past.
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4. Care for others
Caring for others in the leadership-at-work sense may sound soft and squishy. The fact is, caring shows up in meeting the needs of others to get results, clearing obstacles from people's paths, and empowering others to succeed and grow as workers and human beings. It has intrinsic value for both the leader and the employee.
Your turn: What would you add as a "hard truth" of leadership? Leave a comment, and let's learn from each other.
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Special Event for HR and Senior Leaders: Sept. 14, 11:00 am EST
Robb Holman , a Global Gurus Top 30 Leadership Speaker & Thought Leader, and yours truly are back for another monthly leadership conversation. This event is now by personal invitation only (instructions to sign up below). Robb and I will present solutions to daily challenges affecting leaders today, engage in stimulating conversation, and involve YOU in the discussion.
?? This Month's Topic: Fostering a Work Environment Where Wellbeing and Creativity Flourish ??
A Harvard Business Review study revealed that more than half of millennials and a striking 75 percent of Gen Z have left their jobs due to mental health reasons. Join Marcel and Robb as they share insight on the strategies to combat burnout, one inspiring conversation at a time.
As usual, we will do these monthly conversations in an organic, free-flowing format and take your questions to further the conversation. (No boring slides, no bullet points, no lectures. Just straight from the heart!)
YOUR NEXT STEP: To get a personal invitation to this special event, DM Marcel Schwantes with your email address (or send me a connection request with your email), and we will send you a personal calendar invitation with a private Zoom link.
???? NOTE: Space is limited to the first 50 attendees. Grab your spot soon.????
Associated Member (ASHRAE),Key Account Manager at Tritech -sales & Technical Support for LG,Dunham-bush, Midea,SMARDT,| HVAC Sales |
12 个月Leaders really need to have these qualities After spending 6 years in the sales profession, it seems that every word counts. Especially those who work on projects.
Chairperson, Uganda National Airlines Limited
1 年I like the summary and submissions from everyone. I think also an effective leader should learn to manage themselves and thus lead by example. Eg timeliness in execution, getting to work on time, aiming for excellence in whatever we touch our hands on, etc
English communication skills coach for medical science liaisons and other scientists and health care professionals
1 年This is a good summary of what actually leads people and motivates them to do their best.
Director of Retirement Sales Execution
1 年Great list. Thanks Marcel. For the care section, a great way to show care is take an interest in people. Nothing is more powerful than sharing an article or post and saying “this made me think of you”. Very simple but very powerful.