What does it take to be someone others want to follow? Here we explore what creates a powerful leader.
Being a good leader is more than just having someone follow you. It's about understanding the qualities needed for success and crafting a story that others want to follow.
During her 30-year career, Michelle Mosolgo held executive level roles in Technology, Human Resources, and Corporate Entrepreneurship. As an executive with a Fortune 50 company, Michelle learned the value of trust, community, and acceptance of vastly different ways of working and thinking as she worked with people across the globe. She's known for discovering the amazing hidden talents in her team and mentored more than 25 successful business leaders.
Ron Macklin realized early in his engineering career that he had a passion for building and leading teams. In his career, Ron went on to lead teams that set nine world records and won dozens of customer satisfaction awards. At Siemens, for example, Ron led a support division with 350 employees that worked over 5 million hours without a lost-time injury and was voted “the best place to work in Houston” by the Houston Business Journal. Twice Ron has created a growth culture responsible for increasing profits by $20 million, and has led seven different groups from worst- to best-in-class.
In this article, Michelle and Ron share their experiences and insights on what it means to lead others effectively, so you can discover how you can apply these lessons to your own leadership journey.
Stories have the power to inspire, engage, and motivate people. Great leaders can create a vision that is captivating and compelling, and that makes others want to be part of the journey. They use stories to build a sense of purpose, direction, and shared values, creating an environment where people feel connected and empowered to contribute their best efforts.
Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, and in the context of leadership, it is vital for building a cohesive and effective team. To develop trust, leaders must demonstrate honesty, transparency, and consistency in their actions and decision-making. They must also be willing to admit when they are wrong and to learn from their mistakes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and growth.
Authenticity is a crucial aspect of effective leadership. It means being genuine, open, and true to oneself and others. Authentic leaders are able to connect with their team members on a deeper level, understanding their feelings, needs, and motivations. They also possess high levels of emotional intelligence, enabling them to manage their own emotions and respond empathetically to the emotions of others.
Successful leadership often requires a willingness to embrace change, take risks, and learn from failures. By fostering a culture of experimentation and adaptation, leaders can encourage their teams to innovate, test new ideas, and continuously refine their strategies to achieve better results. This approach also helps to create a more resilient and agile organization, better equipped to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the business world.
A growth mindset is the belief that one's abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning. Leaders with a growth mindset are more likely to view challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than obstacles to be avoided. By instilling this mindset in their teams, leaders can encourage a culture of continuous learning, improvement, and high performance.
Great leaders understand the importance of assembling diverse, talented, and motivated teams. They recognize the unique strengths and skills of each individual and work to create an environment where everyone can contribute their best efforts. High-performing teams are characterized by open communication, trust, and a shared commitment to achieving their goals.
Effective leaders are not only focused on their own success but also on the growth and development of those around them. They invest time and resources in mentoring, coaching, and empowering the next generation of leaders, creating a legacy of leadership that extends beyond their own tenure.
The art of leadership is a complex and multifaceted discipline, requiring a delicate balance of skills, qualities, and mindsets. By learning from experienced leaders you align with and admire, and applying their insights to your own leadership journey, you can develop the capabilities needed to inspire others, drive positive change, and achieve enduring success. Remember to create compelling stories, take responsibility for your actions, and continuously adapt and grow as a leader and follower. With dedication, effort, and self-reflection, you can become the leader that others will want to follow.
If this article helped you better understand how you can be a leader at work, you might be interested in our executive coaching programs or leadership training. Our executive coaches are leaders in their fields and have transformed companies through their visionary leadership styles. To learn more about how to work with us, you can Schedule A Consultation.
.png){kind=small}