The Age of Good Intentions for a Star Leader is here

Just like suede shoes don’t need a shine to stand out, but simply need to be clean. Remember that it’s not about shining in every role you play in life. What truly matters is keeping your heart pure and intentions clear.

Being great isn’t about being in the spotlight all the time; it’s about being true to yourself and doing what’s right!

Recently had an opportunity to participate in one of the best designed programs facilitated by Coach Vikram with a group of senior Aditya Birla Group leaders. This experience was phenomenal, insightful and thought-provoking learnings in many aspects. Privileged to co-author an article with Coach Vikram…Happy Reading!

The Age of Good Intentions for a Star Leader is here

Do you think this is one of those articles you can skip reading because good intentions don't matter, and as a leader, you need to be tough and fierce? Before answering, know the story of a CEO of a unicorn startup who laid off around 900 people over a zoom call. Vishal Garg, the CEO, laid off around 15% of his workforce in a zoom one way video-call. Later he issued a sincere apology on his company blog. He never really considered his employees as humans, as he referred to them as dumb dolphins in one of the emails obtained by Forbes. In these current times, a leader must think twice or even thrice about his actions and his execution of the decisions. So what are three traits for practicing good intentions for everyone?

Empathy

Practicing empathy as a leader is a commendable thing to do. It is tough to consider everyone’s opinion before making a decision, but you need to predict how a decision might affect various employees working under you. What we can learn from the CEO of Better.com is that layoff could have been done in a better way with more preparation and thinking about the ‘after-firing’ picture too. You having good intentions is one thing differentiating you from that CEO.

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Compassion

Having compassion for your colleagues and your subordinates is not a sign of weakness, if anything, it shows that you are a good leader of your clique and is willing to be with them in the hardships. According to HBR, compassion is the intent to contribute to the happiness and well-being of others. In this study, 91% of the more than 1,000 leaders surveyed said compassion is very important for leadership. 80% reported they wanted to increase their compassion but did not know how to do so.

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Perspective-taking

The EY Consulting survey analysis of empathy reveals that employees feel that mutual empathy between company leaders and employees leads to increased efficiency (88%), creativity (87%), job satisfaction (87%), idea sharing (86%), innovation (85%) and even company revenue (83%). When you see the world from other people's shoes, you are able to understand exactly what the other person is going through.?

Impact on Leadership

Studies by Forbes show that leaders who prioritize good intentions are 70% more likely to earn the trust and respect of others. Leaders who prioritize good intentions create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and understood. This approach fosters loyalty, reduces turnover and enhances overall productivity. The essence of impactful leadership is not found in the magnitude of achievements but in the grace with which you navigate your relationships, especially those that challenge you.

Star Mindset

Adopting a star mindset involves integrating good intentions into every interaction. This practice helps in recognizing and valuing the unique emotions and experiences of each stakeholder, fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration.

3 Immediately Applicable Action Steps

1. Develop and Evoke Feelings of Compassion: Today, like a star leader, allow yourself to develop and evoke feelings of compassion and love for others. Ask at least one person how you can better support them in the way they need. This small but powerful gesture shows your commitment to their well-being and fosters a supportive environment.

2. Practice Neutral Communication: Today, like a star leader, learn to stay neutral by replacing the words ‘no,’ ‘wrong,’ or ‘not possible’ with phrases like, ‘might not work for me because...’ or ‘what are the possible challenges in this idea?’ This approach encourages open dialogue and allows others to share their perspectives freely, fostering creativity and problem-solving.

3. Schedule Compassionate Check-Ins: Set aside specific times each week for one-on-one check-ins with your team members to discuss their personal and professional challenges. Use these sessions to practice active listening, show empathy, and provide tailored support. Making these check-ins a regular part of your routine demonstrates your ongoing commitment to their success.

Conclusion

Leaders who embrace good intentions recognize the unique emotions and experiences of their stakeholders, allowing for a more sympathetic approach to collaboration. By consistently investing genuine attention in understanding and connecting with their team members, leaders can organically foster a culture of trust and cooperation. Prioritizing good intentions not only enhances team morale and productivity but also drives sustained organizational success. #BeTheStar

Keywords

#MindfulLeadership #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipDevelopment #PositiveWorkCulture #Mindfulness #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipExcellence #EmpathyInLeadership #LeadershipSkills #PresentMoment

Author:?Rakesh Pant is a result oriented and strategic leader with 22+ years' experience in driving P&L, expansion, revenue growth, operational excellence and team management.

"Grow People, Grow P&L” has been the guiding principle throughout his professional journey.

Disclaimer - The views expressed in this article are Rakesh’s alone and do not reflect the views of his employer.

Co-Author: Coach Vikram is an Executive Presence Coach who empowers CXOs and senior leaders to lead with empathy, compassion, and perspective-taking. If you aim to bridge the gap between good intentions and impactful actions, Vikram is the expert you need. Connect with him to start cultivating a thriving organizational culture and achieve remarkable success in your professional journey.?

References

• Rasmus Hougaard, Jacqueline Carter, and Louise Chester. (2018). Power Can Corrupt Leaders. Compassion Can Save Them. HBR
• New EY US Consulting study, (2021). Employees overwhelmingly expect empathy in the workplace, but many say it feels disingenuous.

Bill Gardner, (2017). The Road To Great Leadership Is Paved With Good Intentions. Forbes

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