Archetypes of a Leader in the Making

Whether you’re a leader in the healthcare industry or in an entirely different sector, there are certain golden rules of leadership we should all follow…

“As you are, so is the world… what we cultivate within us we enable around us.” – Joan Chisttister

Leaders are defined when in an influential position — situations make or break them. True leadership is all about influence and not a position of authority. You may have heard William Shakespeare’s famous quote about leadership and greatness: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

If you are ever assigned a leadership position (whether in the healthcare industry or in the business sector) due to meritocracy or end up being one by destiny and hard work, then know that with great power comes great responsibility. Suddenly, you are thrust into a new situation and have a whole host of new expectations and requirements.

For this reason, it is imperative as a leader to realize the expectations of the role, rather than simply comprehending the responsibilities and accountability that come with the territory. Changes are inevitable and evident as you grow in your leadership role, and expectations are one of the most evident changes.

“What got you here won’t take you there” – Marshall Goldsmith

You may have already demonstrated in the past that you are a problem solver, innovator, team player, risk taker — the list goes on. However, in your new leadership position, you are no longer expected to be the same. If you still operate at the same level, you are no different than your followers. Realize your expectations constantly and work around them. It is also very important to stop following the well-trodden path that you have been taking all these years, and imbibe and implement new game plans. It’s time to look beyond and embrace new behavioral repertoires to incorporate new styles of working.

Healthcare industry leaders have a natural confidence

Most successful leaders have a blunt, positive swagger about them due to certain values and qualities acquired after consciously striving for it in their earlier years. These same leaders have an innate confidence that they can hold onto any position they are bestowed and do complete justice to its credentials. This is because they put in the hard labor day in, day out to assimilate the universally accepted values and traits — and to top it all of, they are simply great human beings. Simplicity, modesty, humility, and humanity are ingrained in them. Everything bows before good human nature. Several leadership traits like warmth, empathy, positive attitude, honesty, sensitivity to others, and self-confidence can emanate only from a good human being.

Golden leadership rules to follow

Once you decide to embark upon your journey as a leader, remember to abide by the following:

1. The personnel around you are incessantly monitoring your behavior. Actions speak louder than words. You are setting the precedent for many successors. It is entirely down to you to present the image you depict and dictate how you are perceived.
2. Treat everyone equally, irrespective of their background, behavior, skills, or other traits. Do not let the people you have chosen to get discouraged and demotivated by categorizing them into different pigeon holes. Tackle the situation or problem and not the individual, because he or she may not be the real culprit — there may be an entirely different and latent face to the story.
3. Must-have leadership skills that are altogether too often lacking are the capacity to listen and empathize. You always don’t have to take action. In most instances, people are not even questioning you or seeking answers or solutions. They may just want to be heard. If you take the time to keenly and actively listen, your employees are far more likely to feel part of a valued and productive team. Listen to what others have to say and don’t give your opinion if it is not required.
4. Never let discussions become monologues. Let conversations be conversations. Let the person you’re interacting with state his or her point. It is fine to be vocal and articulate openly. Appreciate the bravado of personnel for opening up. Make an additional effort to analyze what is being said. Weigh the balance and elicit the pros and cons. Understand if someone is trying to reach you across the hierarchy to make a point or discuss things by bypassing others in between. Understand how important that entire conversation is for that individual. The least you can do is to not snub the conveyer of the information. Nobody will follow leaders dedicated only to their personal glory.
5. Never get defensive. Avoid rebuttal — a true leader is never insecure. They know there is nothing to lose by doing what is required to be done. They never protect themselves at the cost of someone else. Great leaders always puts themselves in the most vulnerable situation, yet manage to navigate the waters and come out the other side unscathed. When an employee doesn’t attain the desired results, a true leader knows that they had a role to play. Once a leader gets defensive, they lose all credibility. Don’t be insecure — play to your strengths and constantly confront your weaknesses. It will only make you stronger.
6. Start believing in targets that you perceived to be beyond your reach. There is nothing to lose. You only get better by tackling uncertain and unprecedented challenges of life.
7. Never let people feel they are unwanted. The entire purpose of honing an individual is lost if that certain person feels left out. As a leader, hand-hold and build the strengths of the people around you, and give each team member a higher calling, a greater purpose within your organization. Doing so will result in dedicated, loyal, and ambitious employees.
8. Give freedom. Free-thinking promotes creativity and gives birth to great ideas. Freedom is a basic human need. It brings out the best in people. Mistakes are not as rampant when you work in a free environment. Freedom is the best way to nurture innovation.
9. Words have greater power than anything. “It is fine”, “That shouldn’t matter”, “Let’s not think negative”, “How can I help?”, “Is something bothering you?”, “I am there if you need me” are some examples. These lines from a leader give the desired impetus to propel somebody to put in 110%. Your words describe your personality. Pick and choose your words carefully.
10. Be ethical and tactful at the same. Visualize a rainbow. Don’t look at things in black and white. There is always more to everything than what we see or what we decide to see. Expand your ability to visualize situations beyond limits. Provide justice to all given situations. Strive for positive results and, more importantly, a win-win situation for one and all.
11. Most importantly, whenever there is a problem, embrace it. It makes a difference. The reluctance to accept a problem will never lead to anything fruitful. Only if you see the problem can you cross the hurdle. See it and tackle it head first instead of shunning it. Truancy is charming, but it defeats the leader in you.
12. Leave a legacy behind. The final test of a leader is whether they give those around them the thirst and the conviction to carry on. If your people can’t do it without you, you haven’t been successful in nurturing other leaders. Remember: “Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.”

These are merely a few inflection points in your transition as a leader. Don’t end up being a leader who creates followers, but a leader who creates other leaders.