Changing the Leadership Paradigm

CHANGING THE LEADERSHIP PARADIGM: RE-IMAGINING YOUR “SELF” AS A LEADER

Within the last decade, one of the biggest topics to emerge in the global conversations about the future of business and society is Leadership. Rightfully so, as there seems to be no shortage of incidences of poor leadership, the stories of how they have cost millions, and worst of all, how bad (but possibly well-intentioned) decisions have irrevocably affected the lives of millions. It is no secret that poor leadership can quickly carry a team, a business, even a nation from a position of strength to one of disadvantage.

While some may roll their eyes or even shake their heads in disapproval whenever poor leadership is in action, the fact remains that it has become the biggest liability we face in achieving sustainable progress and development.

It is not, therefore, a matter to be taken lightly. It does not necessarily mean, however, that the future is bleak and that we should simply embrace the angst that comes with too many incidences of poor leadership and seemingly too few leaders willing to do something about it.

In fact, it should lead us in the opposite direction. Instead of hanging our heads down, the time is now for us to hold our heads high. Because that is what effective leaders do.

While problems may be instructive in and of themselves, effective leaders focus on solutions instead. They draw on their own strengths and those of the team to navigate the storms. Lastly, they understand and accept their roles in motivating others to get on board.

Without a doubt, this will require a level of change that, at first, may seem onerous given all the day-to-day demands of a leader, but with practice and mindfulness, is more in reach than possibly thought.

Tautology aside, that all begins at the beginning. If changing the leadership paradigm is the goal, then as leaders, we need to ask ourselves that brutally honest and fundamental question: How can I become a better leader?

While there is no set answer to that question, because all leaders have different leadership styles and abilities, the key word in that question is not “leader”; rather, it is the “I”.

Effective Leadership Starts with “Self”

Leadership pioneer Peter Drucker said, “You cannot manage other people unless you manage yourself first.” As counterintuitive as this may seem, becoming an effective leader starts with self.

Not the part of the self that is fixated on its own aggrandisement. Rather, the part of self that understands its place in the larger scheme of things and the importance of one’s role in identifying and correcting problems and then doing what one can to develop others along the way.

Simply put, leadership starts with understanding and leading yourself.

If we can’t do that, then how can we expect to effectively understand and lead others?

More than having an impressive combination of academic qualifications, professional accolades, and multi-million (or billion) dollar ideas, self-awareness and selflessness are the rudiments of effective leadership. This is not to say that every leader without self-awareness is an ineffective one. Nor does it mean that a highly qualified leader isn’t equally effective.

When we understand ourselves better, however, we are better able to understand and empathise with the people we lead. We are in a stronger position to understand and demonstrate compassion. It also becomes easier to adhere to the ethics and calibre of integrity that we, as leaders, envision for our teams.

The results of this self-examination can be impressive. Not only does it lead to becoming a better leader, it paves the way to becoming an even better person.

The power of leadership lies in our abilities to form personal and meaningful bonds with the people whom we lead. These bonds work wonders in better positioning us to develop, plan, and execute strategies that not only unlock our teams’ effectiveness and inculcate a genuine desire within them to become leaders in their own right, they also get the wheels turning in our personal and professional development.

This is truer now than ever, and the stakes are high as the modern workforce constantly changes and newer, more innovative methods are needed to engage and motivate employees, particularly millennials.

Start at the beginning. Take yourself out of the equation, look at the bigger picture, and understand that by your example you can best inspire others to lead; by your encouragement and compassion you can best let them know that you are genuine.

But this must all begin with an examination of the self if it is to be sincere, effective, and of course, sustainable.

Shifting the Paradigm (Again)

Although they are closely connected, the bottom line of effective leadership is not the bottom line of our ledgers and financial reports. The path to unlocking the former requires a reimagining of the self as both leader and person.

In asking “How can I be a better leader?” we should really be asking ourselves “How can I be a better person for the people to whom I am responsible and accountable?”

No two answers can be expected to be the same, but therein lies the beauty of leadership, once approached with a genuine desire to lead and to learn in equal measure.

It all starts with you.