We all know how the saying goes: “With great power…” And you know the rest. But that very great responsibility that leaders must have, how do they develop that within today’s context? And how does responding to recent events and taking them into consideration make you a better leader?
Leadership has most definitely changed. It’s never been just about managing a team or telling people what to do, it’s always been about inciting change and changing outlooks, using your charisma to convince people that your vision is the vision.
However, beyond that, it’s also being able to embrace even more empathy given how the world has changed so much. It simply isn’t enough to acknowledge how the world is trying to recover, it’s important to take that fact and respond holistically.
People remember leaders who did well during the pandemic. More importantly, they remember leaders who did not. In fact, because there were so many business leaders who responded poorly to the pandemic and treated their staff in less-than-stellar ways, the great resignation ballooned to an alarming 11.5 million people leaving their jobs.
Many cited poor working conditions under the pandemic as a big reason, reasoning that employers didn’t care about their well-being or how stressed and burned out their employees were, continuing to push draconic management approaches because they continued to believe that, because people needed work, they wouldn’t mind that there were no niceties involved. This quickly became untrue when employees realised that they didn’t have to put up with the unethical ways they were being treated or how costs were being cut and walked away from these companies.
This has led to more awareness around how business leaders and managers operate. Because of this, leaders are called to be better–not just at their jobs and on the technical side of things, but also with how they treat their staff and lead them.
How the demands of modern practice require a different kind of leadership
The pandemic has changed the roles of leaders.
Gone are the days of employees simply enduring the way business managers, partners and higher-ups viewed them as mere means to their practice’s ends. People are standing up against inequitable and unethical practices, and are demanding to be treated well and compensated fairly now more than ever because of how poorly many of them were managed at the height of COVID-19.
Employees recognise that it’s not enough to be evaluated only for what they can contribute at work, but their value and well-being as a whole. They’ve seen that other companies and practices are able to offer this to their employees, and so the demand for it has skyrocketed because it’s been demonstrated that it can be done.
People are looking for meaningful experiences that will help them grow, while putting an important emphasis on their health and safety. Work that ensures they are adequately challenged but not burnt out is something many are after, wanting to watch out for their growth and their well-being simultaneously.
Above all, people want transparency, accountability and clear communication more than anything. They want a leader who goes the extra mile, who doesn’t just bark out orders, but also inspires them to take action and do their best–not because they feel motivated by just their salaries, but because they believe in their leader’s vision and want to make it come true, as well.
Why you need to be a better leader
Aside from having to You wouldn’t stand at the helm of your business and say “this is good enough for me” when there’s still an opportunity to go the distance, would you?
Good isn’t good enough. You need to be great. And it doesn’t just take a certain kind of leader to do this, anyone can learn to be better.
Better leaders don’t necessary do “more” than good leaders, they do things differently. By finding different, creative and more lucrative solutions, they maximise their returns and get more exciting results.
When a better leader or a great leader takes charge, they inspire their staff and push for success as a team, and not just individually. Good leaders manage and find their way in the industry–great leaders pave their own, making for unique
5 things you need to work on to be a better leader
Becoming a better leader doesn’t happen overnight. You need to work on your habits and integrate being better into your day-to-day activities. Here are five things you need to work on to become a better leader.
1. Nurture emotional intelligence/empathy
Emotional intelligence shows that you’re a leader that cares for your staff and your customers, as well as anyone connected to your practice. When you’re emotionally intelligent, you build better and more meaningful connections with those around you, and show that you care about their growth.
When you’re emotionally intelligent, you’re invested in others and what they have to provide. You’re attuned to your emotions and how you respond to situations, as well as considerate of how others are feeling and how to walk in their shoes.
When you’re empathetic, your staff and anyone connected to your practice will feel they’re cared for. Working with a team that makes them feel safe and valued will boost morale and productivity, making your business more successful.
2. Future-proof your staff and develop new leaders
To secure your practice’s future and to encourage your staff to do their best, you need to ensure that you have a good succession planning strategy. Succession planning is crucial to keep your business successful and thriving, as it sharpens your employees’ skills. By pinpointing who may succeed you or your senior management, you position them to succeed and take on challenges that will better them.
By future-proofing your staff and giving them the skills and tools they need, you ensure your business continues to grow and thrive. You don’t want to leave them to their devices, you want to continue upskilling them and giving them the resources they need to get better and better as they mature in your practice.
Developing new leaders eases the burden on you and gives your staff a goal to work towards, boosting their productivity. When someone knows they have a path in front of them to help them climb the rungs of your practice, they’ll work even harder to prove their worth.
3. Enforce strict work-life balance
It’s not enough to tell your employees to balance their professional and personal lives–you need to be a good example. Show, don’t tell. Make sure that you leave work once that clock hits five, encourage everyone to take their breaks and vacation leaves and make sure no one’s communicating anything work-related past work hours.
Overexerting yourself just leads to burnout–and the same will happen for your employees. Put in measures to encourage people to take breaks (so long as they aren’t excessive) and to keep themselves refreshed and ready to take on their tasks.
4. Foster an inclusive workplace
Diversifying your team means empowering distinct voices that can contribute to your business success. When you harvest your team’s thoughts and opinions, you give everyone the opportunity to speak their mind. Affording someone a voice and stakes in your practice will empower them and motivate them to do their best.
By making the environment safe and supportive of women, persons of colour, disabled persons etc., you make an inclusive space that people can trust. That trust will turn into commitment because of how you show you care about everyone’s unique needs and wants.
5. Emphasise teamwork–and remember you’re part of the team
While they’re “your” team, remember that you are just as much of a player in the team as they are. Being a team player with your staff by encouraging and communicating well with them helps you secure their trust. A team without trust isn’t a well-oiled machine, and it won’t run as well.
Just like any sports team, a great team comes together despite its several moving parts–it just takes finding a good rhythm, system and a great leader to bring them together.
Becoming a better leader isn’t going to be smooth sailing. It will come with plenty of challenges, adjustments and growing pains. Embracing leadership qualities to better yourself while juggling the technical aspects of leadership, while not a walk in the park, will only equip you with what you need to lead your team with more finesse and grace, making you more dependable, trustworthy and a leader people can put their faith in.
If you want to learn more about leadership that a modern practice requires, give us a call.
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