Infinite Possibilities is the New Knowledge of Leadership
Leaders are not the ones with the most followers but the ones who create the most leaders. As Patch Adams said in Russia, servant leaders work harder and serve the majority.
It is very important that real leaders are visible as role models for others to observe and be inspired by. Enlightenment must start to enter leadership as we are in need of real leaders that see further than self interest.
A New Way of Looking at Leadership
Bruce Holland is the author of the video below.
The challenge for leaders today is to question real leadership and experience the genius that lies dormant within all people.
There are many that believe that dominant styles of leadership is power, yet in reality real leadership is to ‘know thyself’.
New types of thinking will identify what is going well rather than what is wrong.
Bruce speaks of moving from mechanistic thinking to organic. He integrates the law of nature into management wisdom.
This is a good example of creative thinking applied to management issues.
The video has good ideas, food for thought and integrative for progessive leaders. It is very inspiring and expanding into new ways of looking and connects to the bigger picture of creating a better world. Relationships are key. Imagine unlocking the true potential of people.
Successful Leaders Create Joyful Workplaces
Successful Leaders Do These Three Things
Being a leader means working with humans (in the most part!), and humans operate on the fuel of feelings. A leader with a high EQ (emotional intelligence), will foster a workplace where people can feel good about themselves and therefore be more engaged with their work. In a nutshell, people who feel good about themselves will do a better job! Take a look at this quote below:
“The data indicate that workplaces with engaged employees, on average, do a better job of keeping employees, satisfying customers, and being financially productive and profitable. Workplace well-being and performance are not independent. Rather, they are complimentary and dependent components of a financially and psychologically healthy workplace.” Well-being in the Workplace and it’s Relationship to Business Outcomes – Gallup
So how do you become a great leader? A successful leaders job is to these three things:
1. Help people change behavior
2. Create and environment where people can be the best they can be
3. Help people believe in themselves
1. Help People Change Behavior
We CAN change our behavior, but the first reaction people usually have when faced with change is fear. As a leader you need to understand that. To help people face their fear you need to re-frame change in a way that people see it as an opportunity for growth and development. People want to grow and develop, even if they are not conscious of it. They will feel that you care about them when you give them opportunities to do so. For more on change see my post on FARCing.
2. Create an Environment Where People can be the Best They Can Be
This means creating an environment where people are free from fear and have the opportunity to experience joy. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes joy as:
“the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires”
…what we all desire is to feel good about ourselves – Joy is the new competitive advantage! To help people have a joyful work experience you must provide people have a sense of purpose and a sense of belonging. Model that it is okay to laugh and that it is okay to make mistakes! For more on creating a joyful work environment take a look at 15 Ways to Create Joy Spots at Work
Leaders that use fear to motivate are actually hindering production. When was the last time you made a meaningful decision when you were under stress or fear?
3. Help People Believe in Themselves
Think about the best boss you every had. Why were they the best boss? Chances are it was because they made you feel good about yourself. So, what can you do to help others believe in themselves? The most important thing you can do is simply to believe in them and let them know it…and to give them the opportunity to shine.
Remember you are leading humans, and humans have feelings! Remember that staff who feel good about themselves will WANT to grow and develop and be the best they can be. If you as a leader can inspire this you will have a more productive, successful, creative, engaged and enthusiastic team!
Zooties, Amanda Gore