New Science of Leadership: It Only Takes 3 Things To Succeed

I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to share an article I read about leadership. Here are a few highlights:

Plenty of things have gotten harder lately from political divides to new complexities in how work gets done. It’s harder to connect and more challenging to ensure health and safety. But leadership may have just gotten easier.

A new study finds there are three things people want most from leaders—and when people feel these needs are met they tend to be more engaged, productive and even optimistic. What’s good for people is good for business.

#1 - Autonomy

First, people want to have a sense of independence, choice and empowerment. In short, people want to be treated like grownups. Choice is significantly correlated with greater engagement, better performance and increases in happiness. Having more choice provides people with greater capacity to address multiple demands—leaving work early on a Tuesday for a family commitment and then turning on later that evening to address job responsibilities. Or staying late on a Friday to bring the project to the finish line and then working from home on a Monday—these are the payoffs in terms of quality of life. But choice also sends important messages. People know they are trusted to make good decisions, and they feel valued for the outcomes they deliver—not just the hours they work.

People are significantly driven by an instinct for reciprocity—when someone does something for you, you want to do something in turn. And when leaders offer trust, empowerment and choice, people respond with commitment, effort and performance.

#2 - Competence

People also want to have a sense of their own competence. In fact, people all have an instinct to matter. And when people contribute to their community and have the opportunity to express skills and talents, these are linked with greater happiness, joy and fulfillment.

Leaders can emphasize competence by providing strong direction. People don’t want to just lay bricks brilliantly, they want to know they’re building castles. Reminding people about the vision and mission of their work can be motivating because there is line of sight to a bigger picture. And leaders can ensure they’re providing recognition for work which is done well.

#3 - Caring

People also want to know leaders care. In a world where so much is coming at people all the time, attention is one of the most scare resources, and leaders who are present and accessible and who empathize and demonstrate compassion are those people trust and want to follow.

Leaders should stay in touch with people through regular one-on-ones and be accessible when people reach out. They do well to tune into people and notice when they may be struggling. Leaders can ask questions and listen, connecting people with resources for non-work issues as necessary or providing guidance on key tasks where people may need support.

Want to know more? Head on over to the full article here for more ideas and perspectives. Afterwards, why not drop me an email to share your thoughts at [email protected]; or call me on 0467 749 378.

Thanks,

Robert