Leaders make a huge impact on team success, innovation, and organizational culture.
During the preparations for our Tasman Sea journey in 2007, my best mate Jonesy and I led a diverse team spanning 17 countries. Every moment of the pre-expedition was critical, everyone was under high pressure. Despite facing numerous challenges with the kayak and internal team conflicts, the unwavering enthusiasm and commitment of every team member drove us to succeed.
This experience shaped my understanding of leadership. I realized that there are so many fundamental qualities that are often overshadowed by commonly sought-after leadership skills. Having worked with 500+ organizations to build leadership capabilities and high performance teams, I have observed several overlooked, underrated yet critical leadership skills and qualities.
- Harmonious Collaboration
- Meaningful Engagement
- Effective Delegation
- Trust and Credibility
- Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
- Simplifying Complexity
- Agility and Adaptability
- Nurturing Potential
Being Easy to Work With
When we hire people, more often than not we look through their attitude as much as we can to see if they are a good fit for our team. Similarly, leaders must sync harmoniously with their team members. The key factors of being easy to work with are attitude, time, and communication.
Making Time for Meaningful Engagement
For leaders to understand their team members better and vice versa, they must allocate time to coach, mentor, and give feedback. Ideal leaders strive to know their people better—their passion, how their day went by, and their thoughts. You could start by asking questions like “How did your weekend go?”. People feel more valued and confident when you show interest and make time with them.
Delegating Effectively
One of the most underrated yet crucial leadership skills is delegation. It’s not just about assigning tasks; it’s about promoting ownership and fostering an environment of trust and accountability. When you build your team, you’re not just recruiting for experience but more importantly for potential. Effective leaders know when to step aside and allow team members to take responsibility. You serve as a guide, helping them navigate through challenges. By delegating effectively, you are developing a more productive, adaptable, and resilient team.
Building Trust and Credibility
Building trust and credibility is a cornerstone of effective leadership. This principle, akin to the saying, “if you cannot trust a person at all points, you cannot trust him at any point”, underlines the importance of trusting your team. Demonstrating competence and integrity, along with extending trust to your team members, establishes a solid foundation of mutual respect and credibility.
Leading with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
Building strong relationships and fostering trust within your team is crucial for success. Double down on checking in with your team members, not just on tasks, but also on their well-being. Understanding their emotions and fostering open communication will create a more positive, productive, and ultimately, successful team environment.
Simplifying Complexity
Strong leaders simplify complex issues into manageable processes. By simplifying complexity, team members can better understand how to handle challenging situations with agility and confidence. This also allows leaders to identify and address inefficiencies.
Navigating Through Challenges
Leaders must have strong adaptability, resilience, and decision-making skills to navigate constant changes and challenges. They are ready to face unforeseen challenges by making preemptive responses and embodying a no-quit attitude. Team members increase their perseverance when are inspired by leaders who lead by example.
I facilitate interactive learning experiences which equip leaders with skills in rapid yet effective decision-making, risk management, adaptability, and strategic system design which are crucial in navigating through challenges, especially uncharted waters.
Finding and Nurturing Potential Leaders
Leaders know that real leadership lies in their legacy. They explore the full potential of their teams. By investing in the development of those around you, you’re not just leading; you’re creating a ripple effect of positive change.
These qualities make a significant difference not just in a team, but also in the organization. None of these are innate; aspiring leaders can develop them. By recognizing and nurturing these qualities, leaders can lead teams more successfully while creating a healthier team culture.
If you’re looking to build leadership capabilities in your organization, book a chat with me.
