What makes a successful leader?
Grace Thomas
???????????????????????? | leadership effectiveness | coaching - executive leaders, leadership teams and executive transition | personal branding strategy | PCC
Did you manage to catch this article about the Top 10 traits that will make you a successful leader, according to Google's internal research?
These are important to succeed in Google. And it seems that because this is from Google that "did go from being a made-up word to a household name in just a few years. People and companies now look to it as an example, not only in innovation, but also in its approach to management". How quickly something can become a universal truth.
Not all companies are like Google and not all companies will succeed by being Google-like. In case you don't have time to read the article, I've replicated the Top 10 traits here:
- Is a good coach
- Empowers team and does not micromanage
- Creates an inclusive team environment, showing concern for success and well-bring
- Is productive and results-oriented
- Is a good communicator - listens and shares information
- Supports career development and discusses performance
- Has a clear vision/strategy for the team
- Has key technical skills to help advise the team
- Collaborates across Google (the organisation)
- Is a strong decision maker
In my coaching relationships with senior executives and leaders, nine out of the 10 traits feature regularly in what they want to build on, #8 as the only exception.
The more I look at this list, the more I started moving them around as I think of the different organisations I am working or have worked with. The list of traits may be largely the same however the priority is likely to be different for each organisation. For example, I would question the place of "key technical skills" in the Top 10 in some organisations. What do you think?
Hence, the idea of asking the question - how would you prioritise this list when you think about your organisation? What else makes you a successful leader in your organisation?
I'd love to hear from you by answering these two questions confidentially. The results may be part of my next article so watch this space!
Grace Thomas, PCC, works with senior leaders and leadership teams to explore deeply, experiment with something new, extend what works, embed new mindsets and habits to succeed at what matters most to them and, in turn, empower people around them (in their work, their life and their world) to flourish. She does this as an executive leadership coach, leadership team effectiveness adviser and a personal brand master strategist, all with 'heat and heart'.
???????????????????????? | leadership effectiveness | coaching - executive leaders, leadership teams and executive transition | personal branding strategy | PCC
6 年Thanks everyone for your comments. I am working with a group of key talent experience the changing expectations from individual contributors to collective and collaborative leaders. Every one of these traits come into play and these come more naturally to some than others. And being able to partner with each of them and work alongside them to focus on one or two areas can impact the others. It is often overwhelming for leaders in transition to feel they need to work on all 10 at the same time when it is mastering one or two that ripples into the others. Conscious choice of the traits that have the greatest impact to them individually and in their context is the key step. How do you help your clients stay in this long enough to make that conscious choice?
Coach and Mentor for high performing specialists transitioning and growing into leadership and leaders looking to refocus and regain their sense of balance in their role
6 年I agree Grace that technical skills may well depend on the organisation and functional area. There are a couple that I feel are really important: Can decode complexity, Can lead ongoing change..... but I wont make a stab at what they replace.
People and Culture Leader, CPO, Board Director, Accredited Executive Coach
6 年Love #1 - is a good coach!
Family Lawyer | Criminal Lawyer | Mediation | Mediator | CM Lawyers | Sydney
6 年Excellent points - a strong factor in the corporate community.