What it takes to be a great leader- POV

'WE ELEVATE WRONG PEOPLE TO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS'

That is what Adam Grant said in his recent podcast with Steven Bartlett. Which I absolutely loved and recommend everyone watch it! And I could not agree more.

Based on my 15 years of life in corporate I have observed some really disappointing patterns. Which unfortunately have a reoccurring presence in many many places. Very often managers get to leadership positions just because they are technically strong without being tested how they are as leaders. Without being coached and trained. Without understanding that a true leader should be more concerned about managing down than managing up.

As someone who got exposed to leadership really early from the age of 15 being in charge of many projects in school, then becoming a camp leader later on and then going into corporate - leadership has always been close to my heart.

Many things had just instilled in me throughout my childhood through having observed my parents leading their teams in their jobs in Ukraine. And listening to their conversations during our dinners. I can’t even tell you how proud I was when I had to attend some of corporate events with my dad and hearing his direct reports saying words like “tough but fair'', “demanding but caring”. For some reason I thought that is exactly how the world is set up. And every leader is like that. And then - bang! Slap in my face ??

The realisation came pretty quickly when I started my first big corporate job at 22. Strong, caring, brave leaders are actually golden nuggets in the ocean of mediocrity.

Learning, reading, researching, even getting qualification as a coach, constantly challenging myself as a leader and all leaders around me, always asking my team members, my coachees what matters the most to them when they work under someone, I came up with my CARE framework of leadership:

C-being CURIOUS. One of the main attributes to become a great coach - is to be curious about people. This stays true about leaders too. If you want to be an inspirational leader - be curious about your staff. Irrespectively what level you are at. Ask them questions. And remember the answers. I will never forget how one of my direct managers would always ask me whether I have a brother.

I think after he asked me 5th time it even started to amuse me, and I just stopped answering - because what's the point?

Another boss I had would not even ask me even once how my family were in the midst of war in Ukraine...

The more questions you ask, the more answers you remember - the more connection and warmth you build. Too busy for that? Don’t become a leader, stay individual contributor.

A-being ALTRUISTIC. Adam Grant calls this Generosity - when you put the idea, the team goal above your ego. I call it selflessness. Or Altruism. When you become a leader (similar to when you become a parent), it stops being just about you. The mistakes your team is making are YOUR mistakes, the wins they are making - are THEIR wins. How your team feel determines the speed of your progress as a team, the success of the company and the engagement levels across the board. You have to do what is good for your team, rather than what is good for you.

R-being REAL. As a leader you have to have an outstanding self-regulation, control your stress levels and be able to stay centred, to be that rock for your team in the days of the wildest storm. And for quite some time I had thought you can't be both - you can't be vulnerable and centred at the same time. But I was wrong. Years taught me that you can still say ''I don't know all the answers, but I have you and as a team I am sure we will work it out'' (and you know what's interesting? That we always do!).

You can still say: "These are my weaknesses, and I am not perfect and never will be - but you can leverage the strengths that I have from me''.

You just gotta be real. In every conversation, in every conflict. Be brave enough to show your real self.

E-being EMPATHETIC. There are few levels of empathy - and you don't always have to be in someone's shoes, to be called empathetic. Quite often empathy is giving a person some space and permission to feel what they feel. Not judging, not belittling, not sympathising - but rather saying ''I hear you and I am here for you if you need me''.

We spend at least 38-45 hours per week at work. For many of us even more than that. This is 40-50% of all weekly available time after deducting sleep and eating.

So, does the leader you work for matter? Of course, it does. Choose your leader wisely. Try asking them the following questions:

1. How do you bring the best out of people who work for you?
2. Describe your ideal leader?
3. What are you continuously working on as a leader? The answers will speak for themselves. Trust me. With care, Ana.

Ana Leiman is a senior finance professional with 15+ years of experience in corporate finance having held middle and senior management roles in various companies in Europe and Australia. She has also been successfully developing her life coaching practice which she is extremely passionate about. Ana is a personal effectiveness trainer and a life coach helping people develop self-discipline and resilience to live high-performing and joyful lives. She is also a mum of two young kids and a keen traveller. If you are lacking clarity, direction or feel overwhelmed – feel free to connect with Ana for a free chat via her linkedin profile Anastasiia (Ana) Leiman | LinkedIn.