Critical Skills for Today's Leaders
I had the pleasure of speaking at the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce a couple weeks ago. I shared that I believe today’s leaders needed to be authentic, insightful, innovative, and able to coach. And if they were willing and able these four things in this current business environment, it would cut through many of the barriers we face as leaders today.
Being authentic, insightful, innovative, and able to coach are critical skills for short- and long-term success.
I shared three tips to expand as a leader in each area.
Authentic
Be willing to understand and speak the truth in all situations. Even if it hurts you or them a little.
Worry about the whole team rather than just a few or only yourself.
Know when your opinion is based upon personal preference rather than business necessity or best practice.
Insightful
Drive yourself and others toward continuous improvement because growth in people is a good thing.
Be confident in where you are headed and provide insight along the way while existing the urge to demand that those who follow accept it all of the time.
Your way may not be the only way. There is more than one way to complete a task.
Innovative
Let others talk. They just may have something important to say.
Give people the freedom to try and don’t penalize them if the outcome isn’t perfect.
Plan hard and believe that it can work!
Able to Coach
Communicate your understanding of others’ perspectives without judgment or sarcasm.
Address the real issues. Determine options. Then help find a way forward.
Create mutually satisfying relationships. No good relationship is a one-way street. Always begin with and build upon trust.
Jeff Wong, EY’s global chief innovation officer, shared in an interview that he has two daughters and often thinks about their life-long learning and adaptability. The way he views it is that he needs to “train [his] daughters for a job that doesn’t exist yet using a technology that hasn’t been invented yet against a problem we don’t know yet.”
Sounds like modern-day leadership to me! What will you do going forward to be a better leader? Get in touch. I’d love to hear your ideas.
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Susan Rozzi is the president of Rozzi and Associates, a leadership and organizational development company helping good leaders become great! Our programs start with the premise that great leadership skills are a product of time, practice and focused development. Our leadership development, emotional intelligence insight and career management programs can be customized to meet your desired outcomes and needs. Contact Susan at susan@rozziandassociates.com.