Leadership starts beyond 'What's in it for me?'

Dear Readers,

Let's dive deep into the heart of leadership—trust.

Thinking back to a key moment few years back, I really want to share a story with you. It's the story that first made me think deeply on how important it is to reimagine leadership as an act to cultivate trust over transactions.

And that's exactly what I'm talking about in today's newsletter.

I remember talking to a senior leader who gave me advice that really confused me.

"Don't focus on showcasing how your skills fit the project. Instead, show the leader, "What's in it for them to assign you that project."

Even though this advice was meant to help, it made me question a lot. I kept thinking about it for weeks, and something about it didn't seem right.

This kind of advice might make sense when talking to a client or maybe a stakeholder, but it feels wrong if a team member has to prove how their good idea or skill benefits their leader first (not the project, not the customer, not the product). It's the wrong way around.

It seemed like I was being told that I owed my leader something, that being a leader meant only getting benefits, and that the focus should be on what the leader gains.

This moment showed me that leaders need to change their way of thinking.

They should really be asking themselves, "Why would my team want to work with me, listen to me, or follow me?"

Leadership isn't about:

figuring out what I gain by helping someone improve or by giving them an opportunity.

it's also not about what the team should give back to the leader.

True leadership is about asking, 'Why should my team trust and follow me? What am I doing to earn that trust?'

If the team places their trust in the leader and is prepared to support them, it raises the question: What causes a leader to question the team's initiatives, ideas, or competencies? Ideally, leadership involves recognizing talent and cultivating an atmosphere where individuals feel empowered to contribute their thoughts or volunteer for roles that advance the project or product.

Why does this trust matter?

Because trust is essential, serving as the foundation for an organization's growth and sustainability.

It's what fuels engagement, drives productivity, and creates an environment where ideas, experimentation, innovation thrive.

Without trust, we're merely managing the teams, not leading them, failing to tap into the deeper currents that propel teams forward.

PwC found that 55% of CEOs believe a lack of trust significantly hinders their organization's growth. This isn't just a small issue; it's a major barrier to success.

Gallup's research adds to this, showing that managers dramatically affect employee engagement levels - responsible for up to 70% of it. This isn't a trivial number; it highlights the critical role leaders play in keeping their teams engaged and motivated.

The challenge is that building trust isn't about nice words or grand gestures; it's about consistent, genuine actions that demonstrate a leader's commitment to their team's well-being and success.

So, what does it mean for the leaders?

The story I shared isn't just an anecdote; it's a call to action. It’s time for the leaders to introspect and challenge the status quo.

We must move beyond the dated notion that teams exist to serve the leader's agenda.

Instead, we must ask ourselves, 'How am I serving my team? Why should they trust me?'

As leaders, we must earnestly strive to earn the trust of those we lead, proving through our actions and decisions that we are worthy of their followship (is that a word, I think it is, if not, you know what I mean).

In embracing this challenge, we don't just elevate our leadership; we build teams that are engaged, committed, and driven by a shared sense of purpose and TRUST.

Here’s to redefining leadership, one trust-earning action at a time.

Stay Curious

Coach Meenu

MD Coaching and Consulting

P.S.: If you found this newsletter helpful, forward it to a friend who might be experiencing the same challenges. Let's uplift each other!

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