Shaping a New Leadership: Powering Influencers and Entrepreneurs
Key Takeaways
- Leadership today is about a delicate balance between compassion and courage, and demonstrating a genuine talent for people management skills.
- Embrace the principle that all business is 'people business' and build an environment to reflect that thought; an environment where there's a mutual respect, opportunity for growth, and a free flow of ideas.
- Gain respect, trust, and influence simply by giving it first — ask, listen, and then tell.
Leadership in a Nutshell
First and foremost, it's important to understand how to classify mediocre and brilliant leaders in today's fast-paced business world. One striking difference lies in their foresight or horizon. Most small business owners are stuck on figuring out the next month, while those building million or billion-dollar enterprises fixate their eyes on the next decade or even more. A true leader has the capacity and courage to 'compose a song that the world will sing.' This necessitates thinking and acting beyond immediate concerns and everyday operational problems.
Be the Right Kind of Leader
Appropriating leadership styles is integral to the evolution and growth of any business or organization. While traditionally, leaders have been perceived as authorities with a stringent demeanor and approach, the trend is slowly but steadily shifting. The concept of 'soft leadership' is emerging. Interestingly, it's not a sign of weakness, but a testament to a leader’s capacity to balance accountability for results whilst creating a bond for relationships.
Leaders who can successfully oscillify between results and relationship constantly are the true winners. They have the remarkable trait of molding themselves as per situations, retaining their core identity while adapting their approach to resonate with the person or team they are dealing with. They are assertive when necessary, yet empathetic and understanding in their interactions.
Fostering the Right Environment
Believe it or not, the environment within an organization largely dictates its success and progress trajectory. Feedback, for instance, should be an active everyday conversation rather than a formal, scheduled meeting. The objective is to create an environment wherein the feedback process is natural and not a cause for paranoia. This requires a culture of trust, cooperation, and mutual respect within the organization.
The environment needs to be a reflection of the leader's value system; a setting that nurtures leadership amongst all. The leader's task is to facilitate an environment where people thrive and take on responsibilities rather than functioning solely as per instructions or processes.
Influencers in Today’s World
Like entrepreneurs, influencers also have a significant role in shaping perceptions and influencing decision-making among their followers. The role of an influencer is particularly crucial during uncertain times like a pandemic. The marriage between startups and content creators is based on convenience. However, influencers need to ensure they're speaking their truth and not merely promoting products or services because of monetary reasons.
The true essence of influence is when an influencer uses their platform to offer something genuinely valuable to their audience. The key for influencers is to adapt to the changing times and to continuously innovate in order to stay relevant and impactful. One such method is by creating and offering their own products or services, an approach that is perceived as more authentic and trustworthy by their followers.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, leadership isn't about winning a competition or proving oneself superior. Instead, it's about nurturing an ecosystem where others can thrive, grow, and exhibit leadership themselves. It's about vision and responsibility — being able to foresee the future, outline organizational goals, and enabling everyone to step into the role of a leader.