Modern Leadership

When I was asked to speak at HR Transform on Modern Leadership I wasn’t sure how to respond. I felt so honored to be asked, but I also worried about the topic. “Modern leadership” sounded nebulous. I wasn’t really sure how to talk about it.??

Yet as I thought about it more before the event I found myself drawn to the challenge. Like many of you reading this, I had plenty of terrible managers during my career. When I found myself lucky enough to work with a great one I wanted to learn as much as I could about what made them unique. I realized over time it came down to the way they made others feel. When I worked with a strong leader I felt deep mutual respect and appreciation, and I felt incredible support that went beyond the job and extended to who I am as a person. When I felt that way I wanted to move mountains and create greatness, and that’s good for everyone and everything, including the bottom line. As I grew as a leader myself I knew that I wanted to drive the business forward by focusing on creating an environment where people benefit from that sense of deep connection and support.

How do you get people to feel that way? Here are a few tips:

Authenticity (I will tell you the truth as I understand it) - There is no time for platitudes, drama, or politics. In a world where there is disease, death, war, social injustice, etc., there simply isn’t time for us to play those kinds of games at work. Culture starts from the top. Leaders today must be honest, transparent, and fair. And they must communicate. Say it like it is.?

Vulnerability (I will tell you what’s really on my mind) - I’m human and so are you, but our challenges are likely quite different. I want to know about yours and I hope you want to know about mine. Connecting on a human level allows us to build a relationship based on trust.?As humans in 2022, work and home are blurred and intertwined. I want to know what’s on your mind beyond the project you are working on. Let me get to know the real you, and I’ll do the same. From there we figure out a path forward that allows you to be successful in life and in work. I’m here for you.?

Career Coaching (I will support your journey) - You hear all the time that you have to “own your career” and that’s true, nobody’s going to own it for you. But you don’t have to go at it alone. Modern leadership requires that we think about the human first and what is best for them and their careers. If we do our jobs well we are aligning the skills and the aspirations of our talent to the opportunities at our companies. But sometimes the best career move for someone will take them beyond your company. That’s OK. Help them find the right role even if it’s somewhere else. Supporting the career goals of your people breeds insane loyalty to you as a leader, and to your company.?

These days, everyone seems to be talking about the “Great Resignation''. In my mind, modern leadership is a competitive advantage that can be the “Great Attraction” for the best and brightest talent who seek an environment where they can do their life’s best work. It’s pretty easy to know if you are getting it right. The data on your ability to recruit and retain engaged talent will be a clear indicator, and you’ll also see it in customer satisfaction as well as your bottom line. The Corporate Leadership Council concluded that engaged corporations grow profits up to 3 times faster than their competitors. ?Modern leadership isn’t nebulous after all. It’s good business.?

Thanks to HR Transform for the opportunity to share my perspective on such an important topic. And thanks to FalconX for giving me the opportunity to strengthen a culture built on these essential elements of leadership. I’m proud to work for a company whose values are so closely aligned with mine.?