"Summer" Leadership: cultivating growth and harvesting success

This Northern summer edition of “Seeds for Growth” is grounded in Jim Rohn′s “Four seasons of Life ” - a powerful metaphorical framework that parallels the natural cycles of the seasons with the stages of personal and professional growth. I want to share a personal story that has significantly shaped my leadership journey and professional life. Back in 2005, when I was navigating a rough patch in my personal and professional life, Mike Baird introduced me to the work of Jim Rohn, a man whose wisdom and insights have had a profound impact on my approach to personal development and leadership. Jim Rohn's teachings came to me at a pivotal time, providing clarity and direction when I needed it most, and helping me not just navigate but thrive among the ebbs and flows of my career and personal journey.

Drawing from Jim′s philosophy, let this summer be a season not only for idle relaxation but also for strategic growth and development; and as we find ourselves right now in the midst of summer, I encourage you to embrace the energy and opportunities of this season. Summer can be such a glorious period of growth and nurturing. It’s also when we can work diligently to care for and nurture our projects and relationships, and stay vigilant against potential threats that could hinder progress - and prepare for a successful harvest.

“The summer is a time for nourishing and protecting your crops, and for making sure you don't lose everything you've worked so hard for.” – Jim Rohn

Let's explore how we can harness the energy of summer to become better leaders and reap the rewards of our hard work.

Embrace the energy of summer

Summer symbolises a period high energy and activity, much like the peak phases in business and personal projects. I personally find it a time when we can really push forward with enthusiasm and renewed vigor.

• Actionable Tip: set clear, ambitious goals and motivate yourself and your team to strive for excellence. For example, if you're working on a new workshop idea, program, offering or product launch, set specific milestones and celebrate small wins along the way to maintain momentum.

Cultivating and nurturing growth

Just as summer is crucial for nurturing crops, as leaders you can focus on developing yourself and your teams, fostering personal and professional growth. When others are involved, this involves providing the right resources, guidance, and support.

• Actionable Tip: Constructive Feedback: schedule regular one-on-one meetings with team members to provide constructive feedback and discuss career development. Professional development: attend or organise workshops or training sessions to help yourself and your team acquire new skills. For example, a workshop on advanced project management like Prince2 (kudos to our Consulting practice for doing so at the upcoming learning conference) can empower your team to handle complex projects more efficiently. Recognise achievements: “simply”, say “thanks!”, or implement a “Team player of the month” program to recognise and reward outstanding performance – like Mike Baird had back in the days Downunder. This not only boosts morale but also encourages others to excel.

Protecting your ”Investments”

Protecting what you've worked hard to build is essential, much like shielding crops from pests. This means safeguarding your business ideas, plans, relationships, and resources.

• Actionable Tip: Risk Management: conduct a risk assessment to identify potential threats to your projects and develop mitigation strategies. Strong communication: maintain open lines of communication within your team to ensure everyone is aligned and aware of any issues that arise. Proactive problem-solving: encourage a proactive approach to problem-solving. For instance, if a potential issue with a client arises, address it immediately rather than waiting for it to escalate. Or start ′bullet proofing ′ - a great practice by Keith Ferrazzi . ?

Harvesting and celebrating success

The joy and fulfillment that come from seeing the fruits of one’s work are akin to the harvest time in summer. Recognizing and celebrating achievements is crucial.

• Actionable Tip: Celebrate milestones: host a team lunch or virtual celebration to mark the completion of a major project or the achievement of a significant goal. Acknowledge team efforts: send personalised “thank-you!” notes to team members who have gone above and beyond (we are lucky to have a “Say Thanks” - Gratitude SharePoint at EY. Also, you can publicly acknowledge their contributions in team meetings. Reflect on progress: schedule a reflection session to review what worked well, what could be improved, and what needs to stop. This helps in learning from experiences and planning for future success.

Practical Leadership exercises:

There also a series of exercises and activities that as leaders you can implement during the summer months to boost team morale and productivity.

• Team-building offsites: plan an after the summer workshop focusing on team-building activities and strategic planning sessions. For example, an off-site kick-off where team members participate in both fun and reflective activities can strengthen bonds and align goals.
• Skill-building workshops: organise workshops aimed at enhancing specific skills relevant to your team’s goals. For instance, a workshop on resilience or effective communication can improve team collaboration and productivity in the new financial year.
• Recognition programs: implement a recognition program to reward outstanding performance and dedication. This could include monthly awards, public recognition in meetings, or small bonuses where allowed.

Summer of Leadership in action: the Satya Nardella story

As leaders, we often hear about the various seasons of leadership: the challenges of winter, the growth of spring, the productivity of summer, and the reflection of autumn. Given the topic of this newsletter, I want to spotlight a leader who has exemplified the essence of summer in leadership – Satya Nadella.

When Satya Nadella took over as CEO of Microsoft in 2014, he faced a company at a crossroads. Microsoft had been a giant in the tech industry, but it was struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape. Nadella's leadership marks the "summer" phase – a period characterized by growth, maturity, and abundant productivity.

Here’s how Nadella thrived during this critical phase:

1. Embracing a growth mindset ?? Nadella championed a cultural shift at Microsoft, promoting a growth mindset. He encouraged employees to be curious, to learn, and to embrace challenges. This change led to innovation and a more resilient organization.
2. Fostering innovation and collaboration ?? Under Nadella’s leadership, Microsoft transitioned to a more open and collaborative company. The embrace of cloud computing and the success of Azure are testaments to this innovative drive. Partnerships with former competitors, such as the acquisition of GitHub and the integration with Linux, showed a new era of collaboration.
3. Driving customer-centric solutions ?? Nadella’s focus on understanding and meeting customer needs led to the development of products that are highly relevant and widely adopted. The success of Office 365, the expansion of LinkedIn, and the enhancement of Dynamics 365 reflect this customer-centric approach.
4. Sustainable growth and social impact ?? Nadella didn’t just focus on financial success; he also prioritized sustainability and social responsibility. Under his guidance, Microsoft committed to being carbon negative by 2030 and invested in various initiatives to bridge the digital divide.

Satya Nadella's journey through the summer phase of his leadership is an inspiring example of how embracing change, fostering innovation, and focusing on sustainable growth and teaming can lead to extraordinary success. His story reminds us that the summer of leadership is not just about reaping the rewards but also about laying the groundwork for future seasons of growth and reflection.

As you hopefully bask in the warmth of summer, remember to nurture your potential, protect your progress, and celebrate your successes. This season of growth is your opportunity to shine as a leader.

Question for you:

How are you cultivating growth this summer?

Please share your leadership summer stories in the comments below - and don’t forget to subscribe to this newsletter for more tips on leadership development!

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