This informal CPD article ‘Leadership That Works’ was provided by London Optimum Training & Consultancy (LOTC), a UK-based training and consultancy provider committed to professional development and organisational performance.
As a business leader, you will be expected to set out the values of an organisation and provide its stakeholders with an emotionally appealing and achievable vision of the future (1). Clear, thoughtful communication at every level is needed in order to develop this vision and translate it into business success.
Focusing on strategy
Leaders focus on strategy and overall aims. Then they help their team members to interpret how to achieve the agreed objectives in a way consistent with the organisation’s values. Your leadership role may be to create the vision and strategic objectives at the top of your company, or it may be to shape your team’s plan in a way that supports the wider corporate strategy. In either case, the best way to move forward is to involve your team in developing the strategy right from the start (2).
People are motivated by a clear understanding of what they need to do to fulfil the vision, by when, how well, and why. These are essential elements in their professional development and in achieving the team’s vision and strategy. Your job is to help everyone in your team to plan the route, and to review their progress.
Inspiring a team
Your crucial role as a leader is to inspire emotional attachment to an attractive vision and to make success visible (3). People will then believe in cause and effect, and that individual performance counts and doing their best really does lead to a better life for all concerned.
You can give everyone a role to play in implementing the team vision and ask them to report back to you on what has gone really well and what has not gone well. It is collaboration interesting to note that when individuals share their success and challenges with the wider team, it strengthens (4). Ask individual to present highlights to the rest of the team so that everyone can learn about doing things in new ways. When you review these practical steps with the team, keep linking then back the overall vision and strategy. Remember to say “thank you” individually and in front of the team to help them keep their momentum and motivation. Celebrate team successes to keep everyone moving forward together and recognise that even small steps in the right direction are important.
You can also explore with individual team members their unique mix of values, life experience, knowledge and skills, plus potential abilities (5). It’s important to understand what specifically motivates each person to engage with their work and willingly release the extra they have to give. By appreciating individual strengths and encouraging personal growth, leaders can help their teams achieve both professional and personal goals.
Final thoughts
Being a good leader isn’t just about making plans or giving orders. It’s about inspiring your team, being clear about what needs to be done, and helping each person do their best. By sharing a strong vision, involving your team in decisions, recognising achievements, and understanding what motivates each person, you create a positive environment where everyone can grow and succeed. This helps both the team and the organisation do well together.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from London Optimum Training & Consultancy, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
REFERENCES
(1) Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and Performance Beyond Expectations. Free Press.
(2) Katzenbach, J. R., & Smith, D. K. (1993). The Wisdom of Teams: Creating the High-Performance Organization. Harvard Business School Press.
(3) Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2001). Primal leadership: The hidden driver of great performance. Harvard Business Review, 79(11), 42–53.
(4) Lencioni, P. M. (2002). The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. Jossey-Bass.
(5) Buckingham, M., & Clifton, D. O. (2001). Now, Discover Your Strengths. Free Press.
