The Essence of Leadership

In 2021, as a Sloan Fellow of the London Business School, I wrote the case study "The European Super League" https://publishing.london.edu/cases/the-european-super-league/ , on LinkedIn see https://lnkd.in/dcy-dKc7

I wanted to understand why a so ambitious project, promoted by the most powerful and experienced business managers of European Football, failed. The short answer might be the implementation of a risky strategy. But to me, as a business educator, that wasn't a satisfactory answer. My case was about "Leading Strategy Development and Implementation", in one word "LEADERSHIP".

Behind most of the top managers' failures, there is poor leadership, which causes the designing and/or implementation of a wrong strategy.

Leadership is the most misunderstood quality in the science of management. Not just a skill set, but mostly a right attitude. It isn't related to the (high) position in a company, power, or seniority (even if experience helps).

Leadership in one sentence is: "Serving others for a just cause", to make a positive impact on individuals, organizations, and communities.

The essence of leadership lies in the ability to inspire, influence, and empower others to achieve a common goal or vision. It encompasses a range of qualities, behaviors, and skills that enable individuals to guide, motivate, and guide others toward positive outcomes. Here are some key aspects that capture the essence of leadership:

• Vision and Direction: Effective leaders have a clear vision of the future and articulate it in a way that inspires others. They set goals, define objectives, and chart a course of action to realize that vision.
• Communication: Leadership involves effective communication skills, including active listening, clear articulation of ideas, and the ability to convey messages in a way that resonates with others. Leaders communicate goals, expectations, and feedback openly and transparently.
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Great leaders understand the emotions and perspectives of those they lead. They demonstrate empathy, compassion, and respect for others' feelings and experiences. Emotional intelligence enables leaders to build trust, foster collaboration, and navigate interpersonal relationships effectively.
• Integrity and Ethics: Integrity is fundamental to leadership. Leaders uphold ethical principles, act with honesty and transparency, and demonstrate consistency between their words and actions. Trustworthiness is essential for maintaining credibility and fostering loyalty among followers.
• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: Leaders are adept at making tough decisions and solving complex problems. They gather information, analyze alternatives, and consider the potential impact of their choices on stakeholders. Effective decision-making involves weighing risks and uncertainties while remaining decisive and action-oriented.
• Inspiration and Motivation: Leadership involves motivating and inspiring others to perform at their best. Leaders cultivate a positive organizational culture, celebrate achievements, and provide encouragement and support to help individuals reach their full potential.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Leaders navigate change and uncertainty with resilience and flexibility. They adapt to evolving circumstances, learn from setbacks, and demonstrate a growth mindset that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
• Empowerment and Delegation: Successful leaders empower their teams by delegating authority, fostering autonomy, and creating opportunities for growth and development. They trust their team members to take ownership of their work and contribute meaningfully to the organization's success.
• Collaboration and Team Building: Leadership involves building cohesive teams and fostering collaboration among diverse individuals. Leaders leverage the strengths and talents of team members, promote inclusivity, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
• Servant Leadership: At its core, leadership is about serving others and putting the needs of the team or organization above personal interests. Servant leaders prioritize the well-being and development of their followers, working selflessly to support their success and fulfillment.

In essence, leadership is about inspiring and empowering others to achieve collective goals, fostering trust and collaboration, and making a positive impact on individuals, organizations, and communities.

The challenge of Leadership is in the need to change mindset and attitude. A few brave and inspired managers do it while building leadership-based companies:

“We've turned waiters and waitresses into great mortgage bankers. We've hired soap opera actors and electricians. We can teach people about finance. We can't teach passion, urgency and a willingness to go the extra mile." — Michael Homula, Director of Talent Acquisition, Quicken (US financial company).

“Don't hire [bankers]… I'd rather hire a jazz musician, a dancer, or a captain in a foreign army. They can learn about banking. It's much harder for bankers to unlearn their bad habits." — Arkadi Kuhlmann, Founder, ING Direct USA.

"Hire for attitude, train for skill” — Herb Kelleher, Chairman, Southwest Airlines.

Are you setting up a leadership-based business?

BECOME A TRUE LEADER AND HIRE TRUE LEADERS!

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