Be Authentic: Be a Total Leader

Have you ever been in a role where you’re a leader, but your execution as a leader is hindered by other senior leaders? Where you are unable to lead effectively and have the impact that you know you can have, because you’re held back. You are battling with a senior leader who has managed to get the ‘role’ and ‘title’, but is unable to live up to the expectation of their role, as he/she is lacking in self-awareness and is ultimately, ‘toxic’ for your organisation.

While you think about it, I can tell you that I have experienced the above situation (several times, so it is not rare) and I must say, it’s an extremely frustrating space to be in. Especially, when you yourself have the motivation, knowledge, skills, strategy and potential to enable your organisation to ‘excel’, but due to the mindset and interference of the other senior leader, you cannot move forward.

So why am I sharing all of this with you?

Mainly to emphasise the importance and the need to understand the qualities, skills, mindset and the authenticity of a Total Leader. A Total Leader, who you need to be, so that others like you, never have to experience the same frustration that you had to face in the past. To enable you to be in the position to support people and teams, so that they never have to work with an ‘incompetent’ leader, one who has a fixed mindset and is never ready to reflect on their own leadership skills. As a result, is happy to jeopardise and sabotage their own team and organisation.

It is time for us to take on some personal responsibility and as Paul J. Meyer envisaged; understand the fact that a successful organisation of the future, is one where ‘everyone’ is ‘a leader’ (Paul J. Meyer - The creator of the concept of The Total Leadership by LMI, 1979).

This is only possible when it is understood that people can lead themselves and that they can ‘genuinely be creative and innovative’ whilst doing so. Meyer’s beliefs led to the creation of the Total Leader Concept. The Total Leader Concept is a dynamic and innovative development process that focuses on magnifying potential and creating effective leaders.

This particular ‘leadership process’ addresses four critical levels that a person must master in order to become a Total Leader.

These four levels are;

1.     Personal Productivity

2.     Personal Leadership

3.     Motivational Leadership

4.     Strategic Leadership

Personal Productivity

Personal Productivity is the foundation of all effective leadership and a basic aspect of human nature, yet many people lack the direction they need to achieve their desired goals and results. How does this work? The development process of ‘effective personal productivity’ helps people to become more ‘self-aware’ as a human and a leader.

They are effective as a person when they start to;

• evaluate their attitude and make productive behavioural changes
• set goals and achieve results (rather than dealing with crisis)
• communicate with emotional intelligence
• manage time effectively and increase productivity by determining priorities
• collaborate and become an effective team player
• thrive and grow in a learning environment

Personal Leadership

Once one has mastered Personal Productivity, they are ready to address Personal Leadership, which is the core essence of ones’ character. In a nut shell, it is an exemplified personal leadership quality that is visible and valued by all. Personal motivation, personal leadership and self-image are key to how one performs, responds, and leads in any situation and in any organisation.

When one has mastered Personal Leadership, one will;

• realise personal leadership potential by building upon strengths
• continually engage in further personal development
• make a positive shift in their ‘mindset’, which will enable them to develop their decision-making skills and processes
• increase self-motivation by altering attitudes, behaviours and habits
• learn to devise and implement effective action plans to achieve their established goals
• experience self-discovery

Motivational Leadership

Motivational Leadership is the ability to lead and motivate others. Therefore, it builds on self-mastery, because you can only develop others once you have mastered yourself. To be an authentic, inspiring and charismatic leader; it is important you work with your team to support and coach them for maximum productivity. Motivational leaders have the skills and the ability to increase productivity and the ROI of their organisation.

As a Motivational Leader, one must;

• know and understand what it takes to become an effective motivational leader
• develop and communicate a vision
• devise winning teams that can evolve
• promote growth and advancement
• establish an organisation of independent and proactive leaders (highly important in the current day and age)

Strategic Leadership

Finally, Strategic Leaders are those who have the ability to define and develop the purpose of their organisation; determine its key strategies; select the right people for the right roles and oversee the processes required to achieve maximum success.

To be an effective Strategic Leader, one must;

·      have clarity on their strategic purpose

·      complete a comprehensive strategic assessment

·      create a strategic development plan

·      effectively execute a devised strategic plan, which is continually monitored and evaluated for maximum impact 

The most effective leaders are The Total Leaders, as they not only know how to lead by example, but have the skills and attributes to make a difference.

How? They understand the importance of investing in personal and professional development and are therefore, skilled in multiple aspects of leadership.

Why? They know that organisations that invest in themselves and are filled with Total Leaders who will excel at what they do. If leaders excel, organisations grow and growth in any organisation means an increase in revenue. Isn’t that what all organisations want?

Total Leaders are an asset, as they are authentic and true to themselves and the organisations that they may be part of. They are the leaders who the world needs today and who the world will need in the future.

If you want excellence in leadership and have the opportunity to experience self-mastery, then do you know what you need to do? Yes, you need to become a Total Leader.

How? Simply, get in touch with me (Shazia Hussain) for a friendly and complementary conversation to discuss the content and the process of The Total Leader Programme.

Why? Our conversation will enable you to decide if it is the right fit for you, or your organisation.

Most importantly, it will give you the opportunity to talk and share your thoughts. Often this is the first step to experiencing self-discovery. 

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By Shazia Hussain

?CEO Eduvate/Associate Director LMI UK

Certified Master Coach

CELTA certified | Cambridge University

BEd (QTS) | Oxford Brookes University

MEd | Murdoch University

EdD | Brunel University (ongoing)

Website: www.eduvate.co.uk                           Email: [email protected]

Website: www.shaziahussain.co.uk                 Email: [email protected]