Leadership for a better, more resilient world

I was 26 when I got my first leadership position, and I had no clue what I was doing.

My company's average age of managers was 50, and I tried to fit in. My role models were tough men who would squeeze the lemon and fire entire leadership teams in a heartbeat. It took me some time and many trials and errors to discover who I am and stay true to my leadership values.

According to the State of the Workplace: 2023 Report issued by Gallup, low engagement costs the global economy $8.8 trillion. That’s 9% of global GDP. Is this a good enough reason to change the leadership practices?

Personally, I have been leading people for over 20 years and realized that traditional methods don't work for me. Let me explain why.

1. A company is more than a well-oiled machine

Traditional leadership is often rigid: fixed structures, decisions made by a few selected ones, and instructions flowing from the top down.

But people are not just parts of a machine; they have their talents, views, and needs. They have ideas, and they want to implement them. After all, creativity is what brings humanity forward, and the same is true for a company. We need to hold the space for talented people to express their thoughts and achieve their best.

2. People know when you are authentic

I still remember how a boss apologized to me 20 years ago - I gained even more respect for him; he remains one of the best leaders I have ever had. From him, I learned how powerful an authentic leader can be.

In the past, leaders were expected to appear always strong and never show doubt. But showing your true self and admitting when you're unsure or wrong is a strength. A human leadership style is relatable and makes people follow your vision.

People know that you do not have everything figured out and detect easily fake strength.

3. Diversity of opinions is the essence of diversity

Having a vision and an implementation plan is good, but it does not mean your way is the only right way.

A good leader should listen to their team's ideas and opinions. You have to accept that there are different paths to reach the same results. As long as the team follows high ethical standards, you should give them the space to do things in their style. It might sound counterintuitive, but accepting different views leads to faster decisions.

Diversity is just a slogan if you do not accept diverse opinions.

4. Purpose is more than business goals

We hear daily how vital purpose and people are, but the truth is that too many companies focus only on profits.

Discussing about purpose is way more than fluffy talk. There will always be a company that pays better, offers more benefits, or has a better staff restaurant. You will lose your best talents if you think you can solve every problem with money.

Purpose motivates your team to get up every morning and work for you.

I firmly believe that prioritizing purpose and people`s well-being makes profits and growth inevitable.

5. Adapting to the world is a must for success

In the past, we used to make five-year plans, but the truth is that we rarely accomplished them.

The world has evolved, and we now understand that leadership means adapting fast and evolving continuously. We speak about self-organized teams, agility, and empowerment.

Plans are good up until they aren`t. The markets and technology are changing fast, and we cannot expect a detailed business plan to stay valid for the next five years. Change is not comfortable, but you need to embrace it and adapt continuously.

6. People grow when they can explore

There is a saying that you only start learning when you get out of your comfort zone.

In the traditional view, leaders are supposed to have all the answers. But a good leader is also a learner, always open to new ideas and ways of doing things. Experiment with your team, go wild during a brainstorming session, and encourage them to dive into the unknown.

Curiosity made humanity evolve, so nurture it and harvest the fruits!

7. A positive work environment is not negotiable

"A pickle doesn't start out being a pickle. It starts out being a cucumber, and it's only because it's in an environment of brine that it becomes something else."

This quote belongs to Prof. Dr. Christina Maslach from the University of Berkeley, a pioneer researcher in burnout. Companies speak about enhancing personal resilience but often neglect the massive role of a toxic workplace environment.

We have to put people's well-being at the heart of everything we do. You cannot have happy customers with unhappy employees. People will go the extra mile in a safe, nurturing space.

Implement healthy leadership practices and remove toxic leaders who refuse to embrace the new reality. We live in the 21st century, and the era of dictator bosses is over.

Leaders need to speak more about mental health and support people who struggle. We need to encourage our colleagues to take care of themselves, get better sleep, have high-quality nutrition, and move their bodies. We glorified lack of sleep for decades, while science clearly shows that sleep deprivation leads to major health issues.

A place where we can bring our whole selves to work makes us look forward to the workday.

8. A team needs leadership by example

I believe in leading by example.

Walk the talk: show the qualities you want to see in your team, like hard work, authenticity, and kindness. We all need role models. A great vision and strong values will inspire people to follow you anywhere.

Be the one your colleagues aspire to become.

9. Conclusion

In conclusion, traditional leadership methods must adapt to fit the current diverse and changing workplaces better. Leaders must create environments where teams thrive by being authentic, flexible, and focused on more than just business goals.

I am not perfect, but I strive to encourage people to grow, be happy, and be equipped for anything the future might bring.

Share your thoughts

You might agree or disagree; express your opinion, and let`s start a healthy discussion!

Curious what else crosses my mind and who I am? Explore my new blog, where I speak about mental health, leadership, and expat experiences: Global Expats Hub.