What Is Leadership?

I often get asked this question and have observed what I think is ideal, but I would argue it's something that has evolved over time for me. The question assumes if you are a leader (I have found that everyone is a leader in their own way) that you have strategy, vision and all the technical attributes that got you there down.

For me I have found that the best leaders that make you want to take on a city, hill or mountain and do the impossible have high emotional intelligence. What I mean by this, it's the leaders that take the time to know people and create a genuine connection. While some aren't perfect, I often see that if you take the time to build genuine relationships and offer coaching (that goes both ways by the way) while being open to feedback themselves usually are successful.

Again this assumes they have the other pieces, because you do need strategy, vison, etc. Over the years I have developed my own way of trying to make sure I focus on this piece of it.

I call them the 4C's, Cultivate, Coach, Communicate and Care. So here is the way I look at it:

Cultivate an environment of trust, open communication, and a free exchange of ideas. I am amazed how often this one is missed, I don't think on purpose but we often can get in the way of our employees best work. I have come to realize when you work real hard on this piece, great things happen!

Coach employees open and honestly, but more importantly, we need to request feedback from others so that we can continue to grow. I do 360 feedback and sometimes it's hard to read the feedback, but I also recognize it will help me ultimately. But being honest with employees is important as well for their development, don't be the "hinter" that blindsides the employee at review. Coaching along the way is always best, enough said.

Communicate with candor, and without confrontation. I have a saying that "candor doesn't mean confrontation", its both sides allowed to have a say. You don't have to agree on everything, but the richest exchanges I have is when everyone is allowed to be honest with respect for one another (congress are you listening).

Care for the needs of the team; think of others before one’s self, this I think should be a leaders North Star. If you put the teams and organizations goals, needs and cares ahead of your own interests it will balance all that you do.

So let's answer the question I have been asked, here is my personal answer:

"Being a leader is being completely selfless for the benefit of others"