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New Leadership in an Era of Thriving Organisations

This week on The Hack Podacst Leon, Paul and Dean talk about Maximising Performance: Lead Organisations Worth Following

Maximising Performance: Lead Organisations Worth Following

What’s discussed?

Effective leadership has emerged as an indispensable catalyst for success as businesses constantly evolve and adapt to the rapid changes of the modern world. In today's era of thriving organisations, it is more important than ever for leaders to adopt a new mindset and approach focusing on maximising performance.

In this week's podcast, Leon, Paul, and Dean discuss the qualities and characteristics that make a lead organisation worth following. From effective communication and fostering a positive company culture to open-mindedness and adaptability, the conversation delves into their key traits and those that leaders must possess to thrive in today's business landscape.

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Effective Communication

Effective communication is one of the most critical skills for any leader to have. It involves clearly articulating goals and expectations, listening actively to feedback, and providing constructive feedback in return. Effective written and verbal communication is essential for keeping everyone aligned and on track.

Dean emphasises the importance of a common vocabulary and phrases to foster team alignment. He further explains that when an organisation develops a shared vocabulary, it solidifies its culture and defines the nature of its business.

Effective communication is essential for building trust and fostering a collaborative culture within an organisation. It improves employee satisfaction and leads to increased productivity and better overall performance.

Managing Expectations

Leon explores the transformative power of three words from Giant Worldwide- Provisional, Plan, and Promise - revolutionising how we communicate expectations.

Provisional: When you say something "just thinking out loud," you share ideas without specific expectations or requests. These ideas may or may not come to fruition, and the recipient needs to be asked to take action.

Plan: This means that the expressed ideas and goals serve as the team's or individual's guiding path, but the specifics may evolve as progress is made. It is crucial to remain receptive to adjustments and feedback while maintaining a well-defined plan.

Promise: Signifies the central concept that requires undivided attention from everyone involved (and may necessitate setting aside other tasks to engage with the shared information fully).

This tool allows team members to express themselves without fear of commitment freely. It also enables those burdened by execution to relax and contribute to creativity, knowing when the plan is ready for implementation. Importantly, it eliminates confusion and frustration caused by differing assumptions.

Leon says sometimes he is looking so far in the future he forgets about the here and now. Sometimes, leaders spend so much time looking forward that they get easily distracted and must remember to focus on the present. A great leader can balance both and find a way to drive success in the present while also planning for the future.

The Importance of Clear Vision and Goals

One of the critical aspects of successful leadership is having a clear vision and setting achievable goals for the organisation. This not only gives direction to the team but also creates a sense of purpose and motivation among employees. A great leader can communicate this vision effectively to your team and organisation. Use it to help you set expectations and take meaningful steps toward becoming an organisation worth following.

Fostering a Positive Company Culture

Positivity is another crucial aspect of leadership in an era of thriving organisations. A leader who fosters a positive work environment can boost employee morale, motivation, and productivity.

This company culture plays a significant role in employee satisfaction and retention. Leaders must create an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and supported. This can involve promoting a healthy work-life balance, acknowledging and appreciating achievements, and providing opportunities for growth and development.

Open-Mindedness and Adaptability

In a constantly changing business landscape, leaders must be open-minded and adaptable. They must embrace new ideas, strategies, and technologies to stay ahead of the competition. This also involves being able to adapt quickly to unexpected challenges or circumstances that may arise. Open-minded and adaptable leaders can confidently lead their teams through change and uncertainty, making them an invaluable asset to any organisation.

Both Paul and Dean acknowledge that technology has posed challenges at times. However, by adopting an open-minded approach and a willingness to learn, step out of their comfort zones, and embrace change, they were able to adapt and harness the power of technology and artificial intelligence tools to achieve success in their respective roles. This proactive mindset prevented them from being left behind in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Leon uses the 'AlphaGo-Documentary' as an example to remind us not to fear technology and its tools. Instead, we should embrace them as aids that enhance our abilities rather than replace us.

Innovation and Creativity

Innovation and creativity are essential for the growth and success of any organisation. Leaders must encourage a culture of innovation within their teams, where employees feel comfortable sharing new ideas and thinking outside the box. By fostering an environment that values creativity, leaders can uncover new opportunities, improve processes and procedures, and stay ahead of industry trends.

Being Authentic

Authenticity is a crucial aspect of effective leadership. Employees value transparency and authenticity from their leaders. Leaders can build trust with their team and foster an open and honest work culture by being genuine to themselves. Authenticity also allows for more meaningful connections with team members, strengthening relationships and improved collaboration.

Paul recalls a fantastic quote: "We don't want our team to be compliant. We want them to be engaged." Leon loves this mindset because compliance implies that it means average, and we want our team to be the best.

We aspire to form passionate, genuine teams that aren't afraid to engage in healthy debates. Passion and authenticity are the driving force behind success and should be embraced wholeheartedly.

Leaders must remain true to their values and not compromise their integrity, even in difficult decisions.

Continual Learning and Growth

Putting self-awareness into action is another key aspect of being an effective leader. This involves taking the time to reflect on one's strengths and weaknesses and actively working towards self-improvement.

The business world is constantly evolving, and successful leaders must be willing to adapt and learn continuously. By having a growth mindset and constantly learning and growing, leaders can better support their teams and drive success for their organisation.

This involves seeking new perspectives, staying informed on industry trends, and being open to feedback and constructive criticism. Leaders who prioritise continual learning and growth set a positive example for their team and foster a culture of continuous improvement within their organisation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, leadership is crucial to success in today's thriving organisations. Effective leaders must possess a combination of qualities such as effective communication, self-awareness, open-mindedness, adaptability, innovation, authenticity, and a commitment to continual learning and growth. By focusing on these key areas and continuously striving to improve, leaders can create positive change within their teams and organisations that encourages growth and success.

They must understand that their role is not simply to manage but to inspire, motivate, build relationships and guide their teams to reach their full potential.

The key takeaway is the transformative power of effective leadership in driving organisational success. Leadership isn't about being in charge; it's about caring for those in your charge. Embracing this mindset can lead to remarkable results, both for individuals and organisations as a whole.

As we navigate this new era, remember that "Leadership is not about being in control. It's about guiding others to their success." This powerful statement encapsulates what it means to be a leader in today's fast-paced, technology-driven world.

Call to Action:

The world we live in is full of tech that is constantly changing how we go about our daily lives. Technological advances are faster than ever, and it's important to embrace innovation and think differently.

Listen to The Hack Podcast for insights on transformation and change, with a focus on People, Process, and Technology. Leon McQuade, Paul Longely, and Dean Bulfeild share their perspective on the technology drivers shaping the world, bringing a leader's eye back to East Yorkshire. The podcast offers straight-talk and smart tech.