Effective leadership is not just about guiding a team towards a common goal, but about empowering and equipping people for positive change. Throughout my career, I have refined a 5-step leadership strategy that encompasses building trust, cultivating relationships, leading with humility, serving others, and staying true to core values. These principles have shaped my leadership style and have driven both personal and organizational success. Here’s how you can implement these steps in your leadership journey.
1. First, Build Trust
Trust is the foundation of any successful team. Without it, communication breaks down, and collaboration becomes impossible. Building trust requires consistency, transparency, and reliability.
In my early career, I learned this lesson the hard way. I joined a new team where the previous leader had left under contentious circumstances, leaving the team demoralized and distrustful. My first task was not to enforce new strategies but to rebuild their trust. I did this by meeting one-on-one with each team member; I was open about my plans, admitting when I didn’t have all the answers, and consistently following through on my commitments. Over time, the team began to see that I was dependable, and we started working effectively together.
2. Second, Build Relationships
While trust is essential, it is relationships that turn a group of individuals into a cohesive team. Building relationships means understanding your team members on a personal level, appreciating their strengths and weaknesses, and supporting their growth.
I recall a time when I was leading a project with a tight deadline. One team member was consistently late with deliverables, causing frustration. Instead of reprimanding him, I took the time to understand his situation. It turned out he was dealing with significant personal challenges. By showing empathy and providing support, not only did he overcome his issues, but our relationship strengthened, and his performance improved dramatically.
3. Third, Be a Humble Leader
Humility in leadership means recognizing that you don’t have all the answers and being willing to learn from others. It’s about valuing the input of your team and not letting ego drive decisions.
During a major project, I once made a decision that, in hindsight, was not the best approach. Instead of pushing through, I admitted my mistake and sought input from my team on how to course-correct. This not only led to a better solution but also showed my team that their opinions were valued, which boosted their confidence and morale.
Furthermore, I constantly seek feedback on my leadership approach and encourage open dialogue. I believe in the continuous improvement of my leadership style, just as I do with any business process. This involves regular self-reflection, learning from both successes and failures, and staying adaptable to new insights and methodologies. By doing so, I can evolve as a leader and better serve my team and organization.
4. Fourth, Be a Servant Leader
My personal mission is to empower and equip people for positive change. This aligns perfectly with the concept of servant leadership, which focuses on putting the needs of others before your own. A servant leader prioritizes the growth and well-being of their team members, which in turn drives the success of the organization.
In one of my leadership roles, I noticed that many team members felt stuck in their career paths. I implemented a mentorship program that paired them with senior leaders who could provide guidance and support. This initiative not only helped individuals achieve their career goals but also fostered a culture of continuous learning and development within the organization.
5. Fifth, Stay True to Your Values
Values are the guiding principles that shape our decisions and actions. For me and my company, these values are:
- People First: We approach every situation by putting people first. Respect for people is not only a vital characteristic of successful lean implementation, but it is just the right thing to do. We care about people; we go above and beyond to provide an incredible experience.
- Dedicated to truth: This means we are dedicated to a quality of having strong ethical principles that are followed at all times. When we say we are going to do something we do it. Our team can be trusted by coworkers, customers, and stakeholders. Its really about being a good human.
- Whatever it Takes: Our attitude is one of fortitude. We are ready to take on any challenge and do whatever it takes to provide the best customer value to the people we serve. There are so many examples of our team “bending over backwards” and providing extra content, coaching time, and even visits to 3rd shift at 3am. This is an example of doing whatever it takes for those people we serve.
- Growth Oriented: Our team is dedicated to growth. We are comfortable with challenging the status quo and always looking for ways to learn and grow. Our True North of being the first global choice for process improvement solutions keeps us obsessed over the getting better and helping others to get better.
- Fun: This means we are real, down to earth people. We can be serious when we need to be, and we can have fun when we want to be. Fun translates to a friendly work environment where people like to be – when we enjoy our jobs, our customers enjoy the Lean Solutions experience.
Staying true to these values ensures that we act with integrity and purpose.
Leadership is a journey of continuous learning and growth. By building trust, cultivating relationships, leading with humility, serving others, and staying true to your values, you can create a positive and empowering environment for your team. These five steps have been instrumental in my leadership journey, and I hope they can inspire you to develop your own effective leadership strategy.
Remember, leadership is not about the title or position; it’s about making a difference in the lives of those you lead.
