Empathy, Influence, and Team Spirit: Key Lessons for Aspiring Leaders (YGT??56)
Katharina Engelhardt ??
Leadership Mentor ? Coach ? Senior Leader @ adidas | Clarity, Confidence & Career Breakthroughs for Women in Global Companies ? ?? Podcast YOU GOT THIS! I ZONTA International
Hello and happy Sunday,
Welcome to another. YOU GOT THIS! Newsletter.
What a quarter we have had - intense, challenging and full of growing pains. Transformation and change were omnipresent for both my clients and myself.
Effective (self-)leadership is essential and critical to success. The demands on everyone who wants to make a difference are higher than ever. Leaders should be authentic, honest, empathetic and, of course, ambitious, but also relaxed - how is that supposed to work? The call for authentic leadership is louder than ever, but as is so often the case, it is easier said than done.
In today’s edition of my newsletter, I′ll write about these three topics:
?? My latest learning: 3 key success factors for high performance
?? Career Inspiration: If only those at the top understood how it really works
?? Authentic Leadership: Elevate Your Influence
Would you like to write to me? Hit reply or send me a DM.
I am always happy to receive feedback, suggestions for improvement and ideas for new newsletters. What would you like to read about here?
On that note, have a nice weekend, preferably with blue skies and sunshine!
Stay courageous!
Best Regards, Katharina
?? My latest learning: 3 key success factors for high performance
Even though the German soccer team unfortunately lost to the Spanish last week, we can already say that the European Championship was a complete success for Germany.
The German team not only won back the hearts of the fans, but also set an example of what can be achieved and accomplished with empathetic leadership and team spirit. What was just a bunch of very good individual stars months ago, but one that didn't work well as a team, has grown together into a real team. This has not only led to great performances on the pitch, but the athletes have also been able to achieve what hardly anyone thought possible - to give people hope that we as a society are moving closer together again.
But why can a sports team achieve what the leadership teams in politics and business have been failing so miserably at for months? It's worth listening to the final press conference with coach Julian Nagelsmann to find out.
For me, he mentions 3 key success factors that I often miss elsewhere at the moment.
1. Thinking in terms of opportunities instead of problems
2. Empathy and interest in the other person is the basis for good cooperation
3. Together you are not only stronger, but life/work is also much more fulfilling.
What inspired you about this Euro?
?? Career Inspiration: If only those at the top understood how it really works
I often hear this sentence, and I admit that I have thought about it, too. This statement can be made in both private and professional life. It's very easy to fall into lamenting that they could do better and what would be the right thing to do ... but then?
Nothing changes, not to the outside world and especially not for the person saying it. It can be frustrating at work if your line manager simply doesn't understand. At least, that's what you think. ??Well, maybe there is also something that you don't see and know yourself. But let's leave that aside.
Let's assume you want your line manager to understand and do the right thing for you finally. How can you achieve this?
By putting yourself in your superior shoes and trying to anticipate how to communicate certain ideas to him/her so that he/she thinks like you do.
Try to find out what is in it for him/her? ??Influence is not politics – it’s a skill.
??Mastering the art of influence is essential for mid-level, ambitious women who aspire to have amazing careers filled with joy, money, and success. Yet, influencing is often mistaken for office politics, which it is not.Consider this: When I was a director of strategy, understanding how to influence others was crucial. It allowed me to ensure a major go-live project was successful. This wasn't about playing politics; it was about effectively communicating the value and benefits to leaders and getting their buy-in.
? Shifting Your Mindset on InfluenceInfluencing is about aligning your goals with those of others. It’s about understanding their perspectives, addressing their concerns, and demonstrating how your ideas benefit everyone involved. Here’s how you can start:
??Know Your Audience:Understand what drives your leaders. What are their goals and priorities?
???Communicate Clearly: Frame your ideas in a way that highlights their benefits.
领英推荐
??Build Relationships: Trust and rapport are fundamental. Invest time in building genuine connections.
??Stay Authentic: Be genuine in your intentions. Authenticity builds trust and credibility.With 30 years of experience in the corporate world enriched with coaching expertise, my mission is to make women stronger. My coaching and mentoring programs are designed to empower you with the skills needed to influence effectively, ensuring you can achieve your career aspirations with more joy, money, and success. ?????Take the Next Step
??Are you ready to transform your career by mastering the art of influence? Follow me and book a free discovery call today. Let’s explore how you can achieve your goals and create the career you’ve always dreamed of. ???? Here is a link to book a discovery session with me.
?? Female Leadership: Authentic Leadership: Elevate Your Influence
In today’s workplace, authenticity isn't just a buzzword—it's a fundamental aspect of effective leadership. Authentic leaders are those who recognize their own strengths and limitations and are transparent about them. They foster environments where honesty and integrity thrive. For aspiring female leaders, showing true authenticity is crucial for building trust and motivating teams effectively.
Authentic leadership means understanding your strengths and weaknesses and being open about them. For instance, I struggle with delegation under stress. By admitting this to my team and asking for feedback, I build trust and boost productivity.
Authenticity means your actions reflect your true self. Authentic leaders are honest, open, and consistent. They live by their beliefs and “walk the talk.” On the flip side, inauthenticity leads to distrust and disconnection.
Authentic leaders stay true to their values and communicate openly. This approach builds integrity, empathy, and trust. Leaders who truly embody their values motivate others by being reliable and credible role models.
Teams distrust inauthentic managers, which can create a gap. Authentic leaders, however, increase their credibility and inspire their teams. They enhance employee motivation, customer loyalty, creativity, and resilience. Beyond these, authentic leadership also leads to a more inclusive workplace where diverse opinions are valued and innovation is encouraged. It allows leaders to connect on a deeper level with their teams, paving the way for genuine relationships and a supportive culture.
Try these innovative steps to boost your authenticity:
Authentic leadership strengthens trust and improves team performance. It involves transparency, appreciation, and continuous self-reflection.
Join my program MOVE UP! It’s tailored to help you unlock your potential and advance your career.???? Here is a link to join MOVE UP!
??Change starts with you
Nothing will change unless you change something! It's up to you!
The alternative: Keep doing what you're doing...
I wish you a great week; enjoy life, and remember to SHOW UP!
If you say what you want, you increase the chance of being heard! ??
Have a great day, and remember, it is the one who gives up and does not reach success.
And now I wish you all the best and talk soon!
Best Regards, Katharina
??How you can work with me:
Leadership Training: In my course MOVE UP! You can recognize and strengthen your leadership. Join the course ??here.
Amazing Career Coaching: Join the 16-week 1:1 AMAZING CAREER coaching program. Please reply to this mail that you want to join or book a call with me ?? here to learn more.
Not getting anywhere on your own? Then why not book a free virtual coffee break ?? with me, and we'll find out whether and how I can help you further. ???? Here is a link to book a discovery session with me
??Did you like this email? Do you have a friend who might like it too?
Then, could you forward this email to them? If you received this email from a friend, you can subscribe to the newsletter ????here. If you like my work, feel free to ???? buy me a coffee.
PS: This newsletter is written by a human. English is not my native language. So,?I'll make mistakes. And tech bugs ?? crawl in?once in a while.?So, if you see any of these, please let me know. I′m always happy to improve!