Leadership Lift-Off: The Core 5 Values for Modern Leadership

Curiosity, Authenticity, Compassion, Connection & Purpose

?Calling all leaders (yes, I mean YOU!).? The call for exceptional leadership has never been louder because the stakes have never been higher, more competitive, and frankly full of risk. ? Intuitive, anticipatory, proactive solvers grow into leaders with many of these qualities ingrained in who they are.? We just need to understand how to identify and encourage those traits across our organizations.?

As we discussed last week, our business environment is undergoing dramatic shifts in our assumptions.? Top-down, command, and control, 20th Century dogma doesn’t belong in modern leadership, both because waterfall decision-making is SLOW and the siloes in this leadership structure cause miscommunication and broken links across an organization.? Digital-first teams must be sensing, connective, and algorithmic in how they think, partner, and execute to move faster and more precisely.? And the market is demanding it of us. ? We must work differently and ensure our leaders are well-equipped to flourish in this evolving paradigm.? Modern leadership is human, and our humanity begins with values.???

These intrinsic qualities that define outstanding leaders are the foundation for the advanced capabilities we all seek in the leaders we work with. These values create the connective tissue, the linkage, and the gut instinct that builds trust and collaboration between teams and helps us anticipate what adjacent functions might need, connect the dots, and truly flow.

Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Adobe, and Zappos have all prioritized their leadership cultures as critical drivers of financial success. By embracing human-centric leadership traits, these companies have fostered growth and innovation. For instance, Google’s Project Oxygen identified essential behaviors of effective managers, emphasizing the importance of soft skills like coaching, communication, and empathy. This focus has significantly contributed to their high employee satisfaction and outstanding financial performance.? In early 2009, Google's stock was trading at around $150 per share. As of July 2024, Alphabet Inc.'s stock (Google's parent company) is trading around $185-$192 per share, and it has undergone multiple stock splits during this period, significantly increasing the value for long-term shareholders (Seeking Alpha ) (Investing.com ).

In this second installment of Leadership Lift-Off, I want to introduce you to the “Core Five,” a set of values fundamental to fostering speed, trust, fun, and GROWTH within any organization.? They may seem obvious or even elementary, but I’ve found it’s often rare for organizations to specifically hire, seek out, and coach individuals for these five essential qualities, especially in the financial services sector.? The companies that do see far superior business outcomes than those that don’t.

The Core Five: Let’s start with values that create strong teams

1.? ? ? Curiosity: Uncovering an unmet challenge and then creating a solution in response

Hungry, inquisitive, and interested leaders stand out for their ability to spot challenges and craft a unique, unexpected, and market-moving solution in response.? This prowess stems from an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an unrelenting curiosity about how to make something better.? No matter their industry, background, or education, leaders can weave their unique life experiences into their framework of uncovering an opportunity and then problem-solving around it.? They thrive on collaboration, drawing from the collective wisdom of those around them to spark the best ideas and solutions.?

?In my journey, I’ve tapped into my diverse life experience as an origin of inspiration. ? In my previous “lives,” I was a trained dancer and a journalist.? Dance instilled in me the discipline necessary to master technique, deliver excellence, and create something from nothing—to creatively convey story and emotion through movement.? It taught me how to do that in all facets of my working life and gave me the confidence to perform under pressure before a (hopefully) entranced audience!

On the other hand, journalism sharpened my love of storytelling while honing my investigative skills to get to the core of any story or problem.? These varied experiences gave me years of practice finding white space and the vulnerability to notice where that might be to birth bold, innovative ideas and creative solutions to old problems.? In essence, this blend of curiosity and creativity propels leaders to think beyond the realms of what’s comfortable and pioneer something that might just change the market.? Embrace your unique experiences and create the space to let your curiosity lead the way.? This is where transformative ideas are born!

?2.? ? ? Authenticity: Being true to yourself and others brings trust

Authentic leaders lean into the importance of embracing one’s honest, true self in the workplace while fostering a culture and an environment that makes it safe to do so.? It can be a very courageous act to simply be yourself at work, and it helps demonstrate to leaders they are worthy of showing up as they are.? Yet, employees prioritizing authenticity at work experience tangible benefits , like fewer politics, greater trust, and more vital productivity and business outcomes.? Companies that foster authenticity report higher levels of employee engagement. Engaged employees are more productive, directly impacting the company's bottom line. For example, BetterUp found that authentic leadership leads to a 140% increase in employee engagement and a 50% increase in team performance (BetterUp ).?

?Modern business requires genuine, authentic human connection to establish a more positive and collaborative work environment, and being yourself helps you get there.? In practical terms, acknowledging your strengths and flat spots lays the foundation for trust with your colleagues and team members, promoting open and candid communication that fosters a culture of honesty and mutual respect.?

?3.? ? ? Compassion: It’s about them, it’s not about you

It’s not always easy, but being a true leader means that it will usually be about your team, not yourself.? That’s when you unlock the power of the team you’ve built.? Leaders only focused on productivity and their priorities, miss the richness of what truly cared-for teams can accomplish when they feel supported and understood. Employees are very aware when their leader turns a blind eye to challenges and roadblocks they may face—whether personally or professionally.? If they feel supported, they will be empowered to deliver their best work, which is a win for everyone.?

Compassion is one of a leader's most crucial attributes in their toolkit, and it goes deeper than empathy. Harvard Business Review defines it as an authentic desire to help, encouraging us to think of it like this: empathy + action = compassion.? It is also a skill that can be learned and enhanced over time, like building physical strength through a consistent fitness regimen.? This kindness pays dividends in attaining more extraordinary individual and institutional success.? Practices like prioritizing regular listening sessions to ask teams how they are doing, asking for feedback, and how you can help them succeed.? The act of really listening builds strength, engagement, and trust.?

Show up and be the person who truly cares, and your team will get behind through thick or thin and likely create something you never thought was possible.? It’s your actions, interactions, and conversations. Get to know your team members individually so that together, you can create an environment that optimizes their unique talents and skills while creating a culture that is both high-performing and truly joyful.?

4.? ? ? Connection: Connecting starts with communicating!

I had a deeply valued team member leave after nearly ten years on my team to be with her young children.? She said, “Y’all aren’t just my work friends. You’re my FRIENDS!”? It was such a compliment, and we all felt the same way about her.? Just as empathy and compassion are vital, forging meaningful connections with colleagues and team members is essential for building trust, collaboration, and teamwork. The bedrock of connection is communication. ? Having the courage to have open conversations rather than letting disagreements and resentments fester develops a tight-knit understanding of one another. ? It enables team members to understand one another and work in ways that lift everyone’s strengths to improve the outcome of the work.? It’s another vital component of building trust and collaboration across teams.

?Establishing these connections requires intention but creates an incredible sense of safety and fun within the team. We must prioritize developing honest, meaningful relationships with employees, colleagues, vendors, customers, and our communities. I promise the time investment will be worth it.? The genuine connections you’ll build will not only make your constituencies feel valued but will also bring all members of the team a deep sense of fulfillment.

5.? ? ? Purpose: Find your “why,” then live and lead by it

People are drawn to and inspired by a greater mission.? What do you stand for as a leader, and how does that purpose align with the company's mission? Leaders who follow their inner purpose through their words and actions embody the guiding principles that shape all their work. As a leader, you must understand your “true north”—what you stand for and won’t tolerate without a compelling “why” work efforts become shallow and uninspiring. The Milton Friedman approach to leadership, which focuses solely on delivering value to shareholders, is a 20th-century framework. Today, businesses can achieve and represent so much more.

Documenting, communicating, and making decisions based on this purpose creates strategic alignment and fosters cultural alignment. Clearly articulating non-negotiables and the collective vision and mission helps everyone understand the reasons behind our choices and ensures a unified understanding of the boundaries we maintain. This clarity also sparks new ideas that advance why your company, business unit, or team exists. Involving the team in defining and deploying the purpose fosters loyalty and engagement that are difficult to break. This is why people show up and give their best every day.

Cultivating these five core traits and focusing on them daily in your strategy sessions and team development plans will rapidly enhance your leadership, the team's performance, and the business. Leadership growth isn't a one-time effort—it requires the development of consistent, regular habits through mindful, repetitive practice.

?Above all, remember that being an innovative, impactful leader means always putting your team first. Leadership is not about you—it’s about them. By consistently practicing human-centric leadership, you will earn your team’s trust and admiration. In turn, they will elevate their efforts and actions, contributing to the betterment of the entire organization.

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