Written by: Sílvia Fontquerni, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
What makes a leader succeed?
What makes a team follow its leader?
What makes a leader outstand from others?
I am sure most of you could experience how it feels to work for someone who does not believe in you, someone who does not make the right decisions for the good of the team, someone who you cannot trust. I could see myself in an extremely strong and efficient team working well with a leader, and the same team being destroyed when the manager changed. What does make the difference?
Every team and every team member is different…
There is no magic recipe or behaviour that will work the same with everyone. What can work with a team, may not work well with another one. This is the challenge. However, there are specific behaviours, attitudes, and ways that can make a difference in leadership. Leadership is about motivating others, inspiring them instead of controlling them.
What would you prefer:
A leader who cares about you or a leader who does not even listen to you?
A manager who supports you in your career progression or a manager who is not even interested in your new ideas?
A leader who is there when you need it or a leader who never helps you?
I bet everybody would prefer a leader who cares, supports, and is there when you need. Who does not? See, there are specific behaviours that, even though everybody is different and has different needs, everybody would prefer to have it rather than not.
The worse is…
Leaders can have leadership training where they are told: ‘You need to care for your team if you would like to have results’. But, what if the manager is not a caring person? What if he or she does not care or understand how others feel? It can happen.
The worse thing is pretending to be someone who you are not. The worse is saying speeches that you are not following or believing in. The worse is to behave in a way that is not who you are. This may impact much more negatively your team long term than not being caring at all.
However, you cannot expect…
You cannot expect a motivated team if you are treating them like slaves.
You cannot expect an efficient team if you are using them for your career progression.
You cannot expect your team to be there for you if you are constantly taking advantage of them or rejecting being there for them when they need you.
You cannot expect them to collaborate if you are not collaborating or giving a collaboration space.
Would you like to build a strong team? Would you like to build an efficient team?
It is not an easy job to get team results and it starts within you. Yes, you, the leader. Are you an example for your team or you are ‘the opposite of what you ask from your team?
Are you ready to be the leader you were born to be?
Sílvia Fontquerni, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sílvia is from Barcelona, currently working and living in London, UK. Her work as a coach consists of helping individuals and professionals be at their best not only at the workplace but also in personal life. She studied Psychology, Human Resources, and Coaching. As a Life Coach, she gives support and guidance so that clients can unleash their full potential and, as a result, be able to achieve their goals: build self-confidence, overcome fears & self-limitations, gain clarity to make the right decisions, and be able to awake their inner wisdom. As Workplace & Team Coach, she helps professionals maximize their performance and development in communication, team building/engagement, emotional intelligence, and leadership. She understands the importance of a leadership role in companies aligned with organization culture, values, and goals. Innovation and change are key to a company's success.
