Why are we writing about leadership when so much has been written about the topic? And how does what we offer in this upcoming blog series help you know what to do about the role you may have found yourself in? Well, we may call out others who have muddied the waters about leadership (and may even jump in to join them) – all while showing the evolution of “leadership” and how to be an exemplary and more effective leader.
Leadership
Leadership is a social influence process that leverages the efforts of others in order to accomplish a goal. It has little to nothing to do with one’s position in a company’s hierarchy, their seniority, level of power, or their real or presumed authority. Too many people allude to an organization’s leadership by mentioning its most senior executives, despite the fact that those individuals are … well … senior executives, plain and simple. Having a C-level title doesn’t automatically make someone a leader. When you reach a certain level of seniority or pay grade, leadership doesn’t just happen. Especially if you have been unwittingly thrust into a leadership position. There are no guarantees that you’ll automatically become a leader just because the shiny plaque on the door of your new office says so.
EQ
There are those in leadership positions who might consider anything having to do with emotions in the workplace to be undesirable. After all, employees are there to work, not to be distracted by their feelings. However, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) involves building and maintaining successful relationships with other people, which requires the ability to identify and regulate our own emotions as well as identifying others’ emotions.
The blogs we’ll be publishing will delve into the steps leaders (or those who find themselves in positions of authority) can take to develop the self-awareness that leads to optimal leadership using EQ. The actionable insights we’ll reveal can create a model of communication through which strong leaders define how business is accomplished. But only if the actions are actually taken to practice the skills we’ll be discussing.
Empathy
Our work in this series relies in no small measure on author Daniel Goleman, who describes empathy as the ability to not just understand, but also define, understand, and respond to the concerns and needs driving others’ emotions. When we dive into how practicing empathy as a leader can improve organizational and individual engagement, we’ll also mention the importance of authenticity when fostering empathy. Fake it ‘til you make it? We’ll see how you feel about that.
Listening
By listening to others, leaders build a culture of trust, cooperation, helpfulness, and respect. Learning how to listen in such a way that keeps staff more engaged and fosters innovation is an often overlooked component in establishing a robust company culture. Communication is king, as the saying goes. But knowing how to communicate with your team members so that they stay motivated to keep them engaged and productive is a skill that doesn’t necessarily come easily to many leaders. You’ll discover that you will need to use more than just your ears to be effective when you listen.
Conflict Management
Having difficult conversations is something all those in leadership roles must participate in at one time or another. Internal relationship problems can be solved creatively by managing conflict well, so learning what – as well how – to effectively communicate creates an environment that encourages workers to thrive. Although avoiding conflict altogether can sometimes be an appropriate response, providing intentional responses and working towards satisfactory resolutions require conflict resolution strategies. (No referees were harmed in the writing of this particular blog.)
Skill Building
Leaders play a crucial role in fostering success by driving change, but many leaders may need guidance to build the skillset where they are successful in doing so. Skills can be built like any habit, though. Understanding the importance of these skills, as well as managing them, is also key. Greg Gaines Coaching can help you evolve into a more dynamic and self-aware leader. Let’s get started with the process today.
