BALANCE PEOPLE WITH BUSINESS: THE KEY TO EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP SUCCESS

As an executive coach and senior leader, I have seen the unfavorable impact executives have on their team when they fail to adjust their personal preferences and leadership behaviors according to changing business and workplace requirements. Achieving business results matters comma but how you reach those results matters more period your ability to influence your team and cross-functional partners is essential to positively achieving those results.

Let's face it, it can be difficult to understand and influence people with different needs and agendas. It requires the best of you, but, at times, can pull the worst out of you. And as you move through the ranks, difficult moments become complex challenges. Trying to navigate new terrain and manage the political landscape can cause you to get out of step with who you are, people, processes, and the business. As a result, establishing a balance between you and your employees' development while maintaining a business focus can seem impossible.

From listening to top executives, I noticed this: efficient high-performing, respected leaders develop a perspective and practice that helps them strike a balance between meeting the needs of employees and customers, thereby, reaching exceptional business outcomes.

These leaders are highly motivated by growing themselves and are driven by inspiring and challenging others to stretch themselves to reach their highest potential. This approach requires leaders to objectively and accurately identify talent they can mentor, advise, and develop. This adds to the sustainability of the organization by contributing great leaders to the organization’s succession plan.

1. Be agile. From listening to great leaders, I've learned flexibility rules. Team members have personal preferences and ways of working that help them maximize their contribution to the organization. To increase their influence, leaders must adjust when possible, to the needs of those they lead and other stakeholders. This long-term investment serves leaders well.

2. Build diverse teams. Diversity isn't only about having a different perspective at the table a diverse team provides unique expertise that strengthens your network and the organization's infrastructure by gaining a firmer grip on customer expectations and future needs—elevating operational and customer excellence.

3. Don't cancel one-on-one meetings. In fast-paced, virtual environments, one-on-one conversations are usually the first to be scratched from the calendar. According to Gallup “quiet quitters make up at least 50% of the workforce.” It is a mistake to believe that if everything seems to be going well, it is. Facetime with those you lead increases trust, credibility, and productivity, even over Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Not only will you be updated about business priorities, but one-on-ones create the opportunity for you to bond with and become aware of personal situations that influence the professional performance of your team. Knowing this information provides the platform for you and your team to collaborate on finding creative ways to get work done faster.

S. Renee Smith is a highly regarded leadership development expert, best-selling author, and Founder of Leaders Career Accelerator which provides scalable solutions for organizations that need more likable, marketable, and credible leaders to increase business impact through leadership influence; and individuals who want to take control of their career. Discover S. Renee's online courses or schedule a connection conversation .

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