Leaders Rise by Lifting Others

Oftentimes, when I work with clients on leadership effectiveness, they seem to think that leadership is all about having a vision, a mission and a strategy.

After all, it’s important for leaders to have a clear vision, a strong mission, and a solid strategy to get there, right? ?

However, be effective as a leader, you must be able to develop real connections with others. If you cannot connect with others, how can they share your vision? How can they believe in your mission? How can they execute your strategy?

It’s my personal experience that when leaders develop what we call ‘Human Skills’, they are better equipped to deal with leadership challenges such as addressing a toxic culture, high burnout rates or turnover.

In this newsletter, I’ll introduce the concept of building real, human connections by lifting others. And in lifting others, you can rise as a leader.

The idea that "We rise by lifting others" isn't just a moral directive. It's a powerful principle that can help you elevate your leadership.

The Benefits of Lifting Others

Every time you lift a team member by helping them to develop a new skill, overcome a challenge, or achieve a goal, you're not just improving their performance— you're boosting their confidence, increasing their engagement, and strengthening their commitment to the team.

The benefits of leading others extend beyond individual growth to positively impact the entire organization. Here are some key benefits.

1. Enhanced Team Performance

??Increased Motivation

When leaders uplift their team members, it boosts morale and motivation. Employees who feel supported are more likely to go above and beyond in their roles to support your mission.

??Improved Collaboration

A supportive leader fosters a culture of collaboration, where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and working together to fulfill the organization’s overall vision.

2. Higher Employee Retention

??Increased Loyalty

Employees are more likely to stay and contribute their skills to an organization where they feel valued and recognized for their contributions. Leaders who lift others help create a positive work environment, reducing turnover rates.

??Career Development

When leaders invest in the growth and development of their team, employees are more likely to see a future within the company, leading to long-term retention and higher rates of engagement as employees are motivated to see their contributions come to fruition.

3. Fostering Innovation

??Encouraging Creativity

When leaders lift others, they create a space where team members do not feel afraid that they will be penalized for being creative and experimental. This environment encourages team members to think outside the box and innovate new solutions for longstanding problems.

??Empowerment

Empowered employees are more likely to take initiative, propose new ideas, and work towards making those news ideas a reality— driving continuous improvement and innovation within the organization.

4. Building a Positive Culture

??Trust and Respect

Leaders who lift others build trust and respect within their teams. This positive dynamic strengthens relationships and creates a more cohesive and supportive workplace culture.

??Promoting Inclusivity

By lifting others, leaders set a precedent for inclusivity, ensuring that all team members feel heard, valued, and included in decision-making processes.

5. Personal Fulfillment

??Leadership Growth

Leaders who focus on lifting others often find personal fulfillment in seeing their team members succeed. This not only strengthens their leadership skills but also reinforces their commitment to the well-being of others.

??Legacy Building

Lifting others allows leaders to leave a lasting impact long after they depart from an organization. The success of their team members becomes part of their leadership legacy.

6. Organizational Success

??Increased Productivity

Leaders who lift others contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. Motivated and empowered team members are more productive and willing to go the extra mile.

??Stronger Organizational Resilience

When leaders uplift others, they create a team that is resilient, adaptable, and capable of overcoming challenges rather than becoming disheartened by them, contributing to the long-term success of the organization.

Final Thoughts

Leaders, leadership is evolving. It’s no longer enough to have an inspiring vision with a solid strategy.

It’s time to adopt a Human-Centered Leadership approach and build real connections by lifting others.

By lifting others, you're not just building a stronger team—you're cultivating future leaders who will, in turn, lift others! ?

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• The Power Paradox in Leadership

Leaders: How do you plan to lift others within your organization?

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About Mireille Bergraaf

Mireille Bergraaf MCC ESIA is an internationally accredited ICF Master Coach (MCC) with over 10+ years of experience in coaching, leadership, and spirituality. She specializes in empowering leaders to cultivate empathy and compassion through coaching skills.

Mireille is the founder of Dutch Leadership Development (DLD), a leadership development company that works at the intersection of spirituality and business and focuses on cultivating coaching cultures within organization.

Mireille advocates for integrating spirituality in businesses to promote empathy, compassion, kindness, and integrity in teamwork.

She guides companies to cultivate coaching cultures within their organizations. Coaching cultures promote trust, open communication, welcoming challenges for growth, embracing diversity, team engagement, supporting creativity, and thinking beyond individual interests to contribute positively to the world.