I have not written anything in a while… I have not done justice to my blog… However, now it is time again and this time it is a lengthy text to somehow amend my lack of commitment to my blog 🙂 I am currently on my way from Bali to Bangkok after having spent a couple of days with 30 enormously successful leaders! I had the pleasure of sharing my own experiences on Leadership with these capable people and I had only 1.5 hour in which to do so… On a topic that one could study everyday of ones life and still not be fully taught… Therefore I had to focus on attributes and behavior and give examples… I would like to try and re-create my speech in writing below.
First things first, being a Leader is the hardest thing you can ever attempt (after parenthood) and should therefore be treated with the greatest of humility. In order to lead others you have to first be able to lead yourself. In order to lead yourself you need to know who you are and what you stand for. Your belief systems and values are… ? Get on top of this! Now on to my speech… !
- Consequences: Everything you say and do has repercussions on others in one way or the other. Either negatively or positively. Clearly we would like to, as Leaders, to minimize the negative impacts our actions have on others to the best of our abilities. Be aware of what you say and do because your people will copy what you do most of the times. Take some time to reflect upon your actions on a daily basis. Did you do right by your people today?
Example: I know myself, most of the times, and when I have been too honest or too upfront with others and they have been offended or hurt by my clarity, I am aware. Being upfront and giving straight between the eyes feedback is essential but be careful not to hurt people unnecessarily, if it is avoidable. Be clear but not offensive! Be aware of the consequences of your actions.
Further, making your people aware of the consequences of not achieving a specific target or a long term plan is crucial. Even if the consequences are tough. People need to know what will happen if something goes wrong or not to plan. This way, they have a chance to put even further efforts behind their work and ambitions in order to achieve the task at hand. (This is not the same thing as making threats. Management by threats is passé and clearly not a motivational approach. Common sense really!)
Example: I once had to talk to a Management Team who were leading the operations in one of the countries we had business in. A country where we had lost money for a couple of years. Not a lot of money but a loss nonetheless. I talked with the management team in the beginning of the year and I told them that if we loose money in this country one more year we will have to take strict actions. We have to let people go, moving to smaller offices, downsizing the entire operations and if that is not enough, closure. These are the consequences of making a loss one more year. The Management Team looked at me with great disappointment and sadness. I told them, now, it is up to you as a team to think of everything you can in order to avoid the consequences of this. You can do it, you are smart! Just ensure to work together and do whatever it takes to drive sales whilst being creative and finding solutions for minimizing the cost structure. Guess what… They did it – Together. Had they not been made aware of the consequences, they may never have understood the importance and seriousness of the situation. Making people aware of the consequences of not doing something or doing too much of something else can, and in many cases will, enhance performance.
- Demand Quality: Every Leader must have the ability to demand quality. Not only the completion of tasks but completion of said task in a qualitative and speedy manner. Demanding quality starts with yourself. Are you proud of what you do on a daily basis? If not, then how can you become proud of your actions, tasks and interactions with others? You must demand a sense of pride in yourself and your own Leadership. Don’t allow mediocrity in yourself and have different demands of others. That just does not work, nor is it true leadership. I have the privilege of having many smart people reporting to me. People who take their jobs and their own leadership very seriously.
Example: Even with these smart people who report to me, I sometimes ask; Are you proud of this report? Are you proud of this presentation? Are you proud of these results? Most of the times I need not say more . I and them know when they have done something that is beneath their own capabilities and standards. They take immediate corrections the few times they deliver substandard results. Demand Quality of yourself, your people and everyone around you at all times!
- Deadlines: Most of us like to work with deadlines – the awareness of the fact that tasks have to completed and by when so. Most of us also are at the most effective just a couple of days prior a deadline. Working with deadlines as a Leader is important to drive your people forward. Not only deadlines that stretch far into the future… Mini-Deadlines every month, leading to an end result.
Example: I work with many deadlines myself. Some decided upon by my boss and some decided upon by myself. I know the importance of being prepared and structured and I would never allow myself to do anything sub-standard. If I have a presentation for the Executive Committee or a public speaking session for thousands of people, I prepare… I start well in advance with the framework of what I am gong to talk about. However, two days prior the deadline I am focused, I am at my best because there are no other options. I deliver… Always! Because not doing so would mean being casual about your work… If had many mini-deadlines every other week or every month I would do the same… Push your people forward by driving deadlines for them to work with and remember that most people have a desire to do well.
- Creativity: Not everyone will do as you do or think the same way you do… Is that ok? Hell yes! This should be encouraged. Why do you need people to do the same things you do? Why do you need people to think and evaluate a challenge your way? Isn’t the purpose the output and the results? Yes it is! Therefore, let creativity run freely among your people. Let them try their way… Even if you know they’ll fail.
Example: Of the many smart people who report to me as mentioned above I get a numerous of phone calls every week with new ideas and new approaches they want to try. Sometimes so many I have a hard time keeping up… However, I let them try most of the things they suggest if it is backed up with a proper business case… Even if I think they will fail… Why? Because if their ideas are successful then GREAT! If their ideas are not successful then GREAT! It is not always about results but also about the learning process of allowing mistakes. Promote creativity and innovation among your people!
- Heart: You need to get people on your side. Getting people to relate to who you are and what you stand for will serve you well in all circumstances of business. Pissing people off will only lead to you being screwed over by your people. Making emotional connections with your people is crucial! Leadership is all about how you relate to others and how they relate to you.
Example: I once, many years ago, had a boss who excelled in giving undivided attention to his people. Whenever I needed to talk, he listened. Whenever I had challenges he gave me his own advice and I felt he genuinely wanted me to learn in order for me to better myself. It did not matter how busy he was or how many emails he had to answer, he gave me his undivided attention for as long as it was required. Hell, the last thing I wanted to do was to let him down… I worked day and night to ensure I didn’t. Why? Because he cared… about me and my wellbeing… Powerful stuff!
You need to ensure you give your undivided attention to your people. Unfortunately this is one of those things that cannot be faked… You cannot half listen or half pay attention… You must genuinely do so. I, personally, am very good at making emotional connections with people! Give me five minutes with anyone and I will know who they are… Why? Because I am genuinely interested in people. I will ask questions until I am certain I have a good view on who they are… Why? Because it is significantly easier to lead people if you know who they are and what they stand for. Who are their parents, where were they brought up and with which belief system? Get to know your people and listen to them…
Be Colorful: Dare to be yourself! Don’t spend too much time thinking about how others perceive you. Express yourself! In every which way possible. Form the clothes that you wear to how you talk and interact. Contrary to many peoples beliefs, being different is good! Being honest to who you are is being real. People like real, people can relate to real… Be the person you are and excel in this… You may raise a few brows… Who cares… You will also get people to relate to you, to value you and to believe in you!
The above is a summary of what I talked about for 1.5 hours. I could have talked much longer since this is my favorite topic… Feel free to read above and interpret it in your own way and copy it to fit your own leadership style. The above could help you build inspirational discussions and presentations around leadership. My advice is to use your own examples and circumstances that you as a speaker can relate to.
Above is only a few bullet-points of common sense Leadership… I am sure that above has been said in other ways, better ways, than what I am able to reproduce… It is what it is and it is my thoughts. I would be glad if you copy a few notions of above in your upcoming speech about leadership!
All the best!
Gracias a la Vida!
Life, Business & Leadership! 
Very well written and makes a lot of sense. Would have enjoyed listening to it even more.
Regards, Jacek
what a great advise, its helping me much, cause in 40 minute again, ill have a “rapat pimpinan jaringan” or monthly head leader of my network meeting. thanks 🙂
I had done your advise & the result is amaizing, now i know what i had missed. I never told my leaders about consequences. They just do wht they like, but now everything has changed, they are more productive & more reponsible on their job. For me, i can be a diamond director with peacefully :). Thanks verymuch fredrik. Cant wait to meet u in medan @ 11 des..
THANKS YOU VERY MUCH. 🙂