How Well Do You Lead?

When was the last time you invited your team to evaluate your leadership? Traditional performance evaluations often involve leaders assessing their team members, but what about turning the tables to receive constructive feedback on your own leadership style? Let me share a personal experience that transformed my approach to leadership.

Mid-point my career, at the age of 37, I attained the coveted title of Vice President. Grateful and ambitious, I found myself leading a team I had recently doubled in size. While the promotion was a career milestone, I realized that titles alone don't make a leader effective; it's the ability to connect with and empower your team that truly matters.

About six months into my role, I decided to take an unconventional step. I wanted to know how my team wanted to be led and, more importantly, how they felt about my leadership. Breaking away from the traditional top-down approach, I initiated a candid conversation with my team members, encouraging them to evaluate my performance and share their thoughts openly.

The decision to open myself to feedback was not without risks. As a leader, it can be intimidating to lay bare your vulnerabilities. However, I firmly believed that building a team culture where every voice matters would lead to a more engaged and empowered workforce.

The results of this experiment were nothing short of transformative. The insights gained from my team members' perspectives provided a roadmap for refining my leadership style. By addressing their concerns and aligning my approach with their expectations, our department experienced a remarkable surge in performance.

This experience reinforced my belief in the power of trust within a team. Trust, in my definition, is the sum of competence and reliability. Demonstrating expertise in your field (competence) is vital, but equally crucial is the reliability factor—consistently delivering on promises, being there for your team, and embodying the values you expect from them. This is definitely a two-way street where everyone benefits.

In embracing a culture of open communication, I not only gained valuable insights into my leadership blind spots but also nurtured a foundation of trust within the team. This trust, in turn, became the catalyst for enhanced collaboration, innovation, and ultimately, outstanding performance.

So, I challenge you to ask yourself: How well do you lead? Consider inviting your team to be your co-pilots on this leadership journey. It might be a risk, but the potential rewards for your department's performance and your personal growth are immeasurable.

#LeadershipReflection #TeamEmpowerment #TrustInLeadership #PerformanceTransformation #LeadershipJourney