Say Yes to This Question, and You’re Probably a Great Leader
Marcel Schwantes
Igniting leadership with practical care to boost retention, productivity, and profits. Deep ideas for people and business impact.
A few years ago,?a?Gallup study of nearly 8,000 U.S. adults?found that 50 percent of employees left their jobs "to get away from their manager to improve their overall life at some point in their career."
We've all heard this song?played like a broken record: People leave managers, not companies.
If you're in a leadership role now or aspiring to one, the journey toward leadership greatness never ends. But it does have a starting point.
One question you need to ask
Ask yourself this question:?Did I have a positive impact on someone today?
The best leaders in the most desirable companies on the planet aren't characters in a rose-colored Hollywood script. They are real human beings who arrived there through hard work, trial and error, and a wholehearted commitment to changing people's lives.
The question posed?has to be firmly embedded in the back of your mind and at the forefront of your mindset daily. It's used as a constant reminder that will help you take ownership of being the very best leader you can be for the people entrusted under your care as leaders.
'Did I have a positive impact on someone today?'
Asking the question forces you to measure up against the high standards of leadership, as outlined below, which will open up a world of opportunities to make an immediate impact on people.
Remember ...
Leadership is about giving
I know this is counterintuitive, but to lead means to become?a giver: a giver of your time, energy, wisdom, and knowledge. Furthermore, it's about your people's development; you pour into your people's growth to make them better (which makes you and your organization better).
Leadership requires selflessness
It's ultimately doing the unthinkable in the?top-heavy world of command-and-control management styles: putting your followers' interests ahead of your?own. But when you do, it leads to unprecedented competitive advantage.
Leadership requires humility
The more you can contain your ego, the more realistic you are about your problems.?You learn how to listen and admit that you don't know all the answers.?Your pride doesn't keep you from sharing the credit that needs to be shared. And humility allows you to acknowledge your mistakes.
Leadership is about serving others
To seriously elevate your impact and influence as a leader, you have to remember that leadership is about service and making those around you better. To assess where you are against the high measure of a servant?leader, there's another very powerful question you need to ask right now:?What am I doing every day?to improve the life of an employee in the workplace?
Answering these questions with honesty and confidence?means you've arrived at taking the higher leadership road to success. If you place others in the position to be their very best, you are well on your way to becoming an exceptional leader.
Your turn: What do you believe requires you to take the higher road to success? What else defines exceptional leadership? Leave a comment and let's learn from each other.
I Invite You to Take the Higher Leadership Road With Me as Your Guide
If anything about today's article resonates with you, I challenge you to take the next step toward becoming that type of leader. I can help...
I just put the finishing touches on the next half-day workshop called From Boss to Leader. This workshop is going to teach you immediate leadership skills that will make you more effective on the job. If you could use a boost and get some tools and strategies for engaging and motivating your people, or if morale or performance is low, this workshop will work for you. Even if these issues do not challenge you, it’s a perfect refresher on the most effective people-management strategies.?
Here’s What You’ll Learn
Click here for the agenda and session descriptions for your half-day journey.
Why you should attend:
You’re a great fit for this half-day, skills-based workshop if:
? You want to learn new skills to be a more effective human/people leader.
? You’re willing to face your blind spots and learn new habits and skills.
? You want to develop the skills that will inspire and bring out the best in people.
? You’re willing to get honest about what’s not working and where you need to grow.
? You’re interested in a tested, evidence-based approach to leadership development (instead of “flavor-of-the-month”).
? You want a simple and practical way to set new leadership goals for yourself.
? You prefer an interactive, engaging and experiential way of learning (no boring lectures!)?
Are You In?
If you've made it this far, my guess is you're probably interested. So, let's just cut to the chase. The Early Bird Special price for a live workshop of this magnitude--with coaching, tools, worksheets, and peer group discussions and breakouts--is truly a bargain. You decide and I hope to see you soon!
Date: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST (U.S.)
Price: $229.00 USD after January 24
Early Bird Special: $179.00 (enter promotion code EarlyBirdSpecial. Deadline is Jan. 23)
Link to register: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/frombosstoleader/#checkout
Consultant
1 个月"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way - and shows the way." - John C. Maxwell.
EVP of R&D | Advisor | Coach | Talent Whisperer?
1 个月While I love the question "Did I have a positive impact on someone today?" There is danger that this results in leaders being nice rather than kind - an important distinction. Challenging someone to go outside their comfort zone may at first not be received as a positive experience. However, letting them feel safe, supported and encouraged to try new things evokes a growth mindset. The positive impact of that may not be felt in the moment, but it is a much greater gift than simply solving for sending them home happy that day and every day. Likewise, I cringe when I hear the notion of Servant Leader presented as being servants to our employees - striving to solve for their every request and desire. Instead, I see Servant Leadership as meaning that we do things in service of those we lead - this includes challenging them, getting them to revisit their assumptions, inviting they to do things they aren't convinced they can do, etc. I worry that when we act as blind servants to those we lead, we risk doing them a great disservice. We shouldn't forget that tough love is still a form of love. I suspect you understand and appreciate these nuanced distinctions. I call them out as they may be misunderstood by a new and aspiring leader.
Director | Leadership & Innovation Management l Financial services
1 个月Very insightful inputs. Integrity, honesty & Transperancy are the most desired traits from a good leader. Impactful leaders create more leaders.
Sales Director - Asia
1 个月Yes
Head of Strategy Deployment (thru Hoshin Kanri), PMO and Org. Change Management at Abdul Latif Jameel (Toyota, Lexus, BYD, GAC, Geely Farizon, Rivian)
1 个月One of the most important task of a Manager is to achieve high engagement levels of the Team members. If the Team is not engaged the rest of the efforts would be partly or fully wasted'. Remember to touch their thoughts and feelings in a positive manner before expecting the actions