Leadership: What is it?

Before you read the rest of this article write down/think in 30 words or less: What is leadership?

I have been providing leadership training for over 20 years across an enormous variety of organisations. I have coached leaders, CEOs, EOs, CFOs, Directors, Principals, Foremen, Leading Hands and team leaders and ask the same question of everyone: WHAT IS LEADERSHIP? The answers are never the same. Some people define attributes of good or bad leadership. Others focus on their leadership style, be it visionary, authoritarian or servant leadership. Others focus on WHY leadership is important, and it is vitally important but that is not the question.

What is leadership? 

We all want more of it. We want to be better at it. We know the risks associated with poor leadership and the cost to business and well-being. We all want the benefits for our business or organisation from great leadership; but what is it?

Answering this question is one of the most insightful steps in becoming a better leader.

What is leadership?

Leadership is the actions you do that influence the behaviour of others.

Leadership is the actions you do that influence the behaviour of others.

The truth is:

·      leaders only exist if there are others who follow.

·      Your quality and success as a leader is measured by the actions of others.

Leadership is the interdependent relationship between the leader and staff, where the actions of the leader influence the work behaviour of the staff. The quality of a leader can only be measured by the behaviour of those who are influenced by the leadership and the progression those followers make towards achieving the planned outcomes.

Leadership is an interdependent dance between the leader, staff and clients to achieve planned outcomes.

Defining and understanding the balance of leadership is the most vital step along the pathway to understanding HOW to be a highly successful leader.

Leadership is all about influencing the behaviour of others by controlling, planning and managing your own behaviour and business organisational structure. Leadership is controlled by you while being fundamentally focussed on others to collaboratively achieve planned outcomes. 

Leadership is controlled by you, while being fundamentally focussed on others to collaboratively achieve planned outcomes.  

There are proven ways of providing outstanding leadership, and good leaders must be aware of these so they can CHOOSE to use them. We all have limited time, energy and capacity so we need to identify and choose the best options available to us. A leader must be consciously aware of their leadership options & decision so they can maximise the influence over the behaviour of staff and their organisation. The complexity of human and organisational leadership requires conscious awareness, not a reliance on unconscious limited skills and hoping for the best.

Let’s take this one step further…

Given that: Leadership is what you do that influences the behaviour of others. The behaviour of others is the measure of whether the leadership was good or bad/effective or ineffective. 

Good leadership is the action of the leader that influences the behaviour of staff and clients that results in achieving the planned outcome to the required standard with a sense of harmony.

Bad leadership is the action of the leader that influences the behaviour of staff that results in a reduced level of outcomes and/or a sense of disharmony amongst the staff. The worst leadership is when no one follows you at all, or leadership that influences behaviour where staff actively work against the leader or the business.

The success of a leader is measured by the actions of others, not, how hard the leader works, how many courses you have been to, the latest book you have read or how good a leader you think you are.

A leader’s capacity to be successful is limited by their capacity to influence the behaviour of others.

A leader’s capacity to be successful is limited by their capacity to influence the behaviour of others.

A leader’s capacity to influence the behaviour of others is bound by the leadership options they have available to choose from and their willingness to choose leadership behaviours that powerfully influence the required behaviour in others.

How did your definition of Leadership compare to mine?

If staff and client behaviour is a measure of your leadership, how are you going?

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Do you want to discuss any of these elements more?

Book a Complimentary Leadership Strategy Session with Brad!

Most leaders are under significant pressure. Every day they are required to get more and more out of their team. Often with fewer and fewer resources. Business growth also creates unique and time-critical challenges. These challenges directly impact teams and their performance. Ultimately this affects the results and profits of the organisation.

If you would like to improve the performance and productivity of your organisation or review the Leadership Strategy you have in place, please request your complimentary one-hour Leadership Strategy Session. At the session, Brad will review your situation. He will then provide recommendations on the most effective leadership strategies that are currently right for your organisation.

To arrange your complimentary Leadership Strategy Session please email Brad [email protected] with your contact details.