We’ve all heard the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”. The same is true about leadership but is better defined as “it takes a team to make a leader”. Leaders are only created when those around them thrive. In other words, true leadership is measured by the success of others.
Nurtures Results
All true leaders share the following qualities:
- Active listener
- Good communicator
- Trustworthy
- Genuine
- Empathetic
- Observant
- Lead by example
When a leader possesses these qualities, it creates a positive, productive work environment. A natural result is each team member feels valued and are more likely to go above and beyond to reach goals.
In fact, when employees feel valued they are up to 50% more productive. The more productive they are, the better it is for the team and the organization.
However, true leaders not only garners results, they create team members who are able to act autonomously to achieve goals and/or complete tasks. Why bother leading by example and actively listening to the ideas brainstormed by team members if the decision is a forgone conclusion? That is dictatorship, not leadership.
Empowers Others
In a previous blog we discussed how important it is for leaders to conduct a self audit from time to time. Here we discussed the importance of leaders to inspire the team to tap into each member’s unique skill set and personal knowledge to come up with the best idea or solution. Two, or many heads are better than one after all, and an effective leader knows this inherently.
If a leader has to micro manage all aspects of the team to brainstorm ideas, solve problems, implement solutions, isn’t that ultimately counterproductive?
“Leadership is about making others better as result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” – Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook
Some people are born with it, while others grow into it. But make no mistake, the most important aspect of leadership is whether the people being led become successful. This concept can be related to the proudest moments of a parent’s life when they witness the success of a child. True leaders feel the same way about the members of their team (or they should).
After all, who were the most influential people in a good leader’s life? Leaders that made them better and gave them the power to perform at an optimal level, that’s who! Otherwise, where will our future leaders come from unless they are encouraged to succeed?
Without the success of others, a leader fails. A leader is only as good as the team they lead, pure and simple.
Larry Lipman Helps Nurture Organizations
Larry of Fun Team Building can help large groups, small groups, inside and outside with corporate group activities including stimulating exercises and innovative ways for people to connect better than ever before! Call Larry Lipman (770-333-3303) and plan a team building session that will help everyone not only get on the same page, but have fun doing it, too!