Inspiring Leadership - 5 ways to unlock the power of spring
If you’re feeling depleted, you’re far from alone and it’s easy to forget that spring always brings a resurgence of energy and optimism.
It’s important that leaders recognize spring as a time to refocus on what matters in business, refresh some of the basics and establish a renewed sense of purpose.
Here’s a mini-manifesto with five key learnings from my work with CEOs and senior leaders.
1. Focus & Energy
Take a moment to reflect on how well you’re channelling your energy into what matters, how that energy can be enhanced, and who can help to build it.
After all, this is the space where CEOs and senior leaders are expected to act. In my experience the majority of entrepreneurs and CEO’s I know have extraordinary energy and drive. But what could be possible if this could be channeled even more effectively?
It’s all too easy to look back and realise that only twenty percent of your time was spent on what you wanted to change, with the other eighty percent spent on doing and being.
Since becoming a mum over ten years ago, I’ve been determined to be present and active in the busy lives of my children alongside running a business, a home and relationships and interests. It’s become vividly clear to me just how important energy management really is.
Can energy genuinely be a human superpower? To maximise human energy, experts such as Dr Tara Swart talk about balancing body and mind. Psychology and physiology are very closely connected – our thoughts affect our body’s behaviour and our body’s behaviour affects our thoughts. Dr Swart articulates how important it is to know yourself inside and out – to have that connection with our bodies. Our bodies constantly send us messages if we can tune into them and get to know their signals.
Of course, I’m sometimes unreasonably demanding of myself – pushing myself to the limits both mentally and physically. But I have learnt through work and sport to be more aware of where my limits are. I try not to operate in a strain zone for very long. If we don’t listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us over the long term, it can result in burnout, anxiety, depression and sickness.
What if you could build your energy more effectively and channel that into your vision? You may find that the sky’s the limit when it comes to the enormous possibilities.
2. Leaders Should Be Leaders
It sounds like I’m stating the obvious, but it’s worth repeating that leaders should think about how their team members experience them. Great leaders understand how visionary they are, how well they leverage coaching to empower and unlock the potential of their employees, how well they are setting the pace to seize the opportunity that this moment presents, and so on.
It should be obvious that leaders lead, but often they don’t. They allow themselves to be distracted and pulled down so they are working ‘in’ the business far more than ‘on’ the business. So take a moment to reflect on your leadership style to ensure you continue to inspire your teams and spend enough time working ‘on’ your business rather than ‘in’ it.
3. Remember The People in The Gatherings
As business perhaps transitions permanently to a degree of the virtual, we’re currently living in isolated and atomised times - but people are still people. We’re a highly social species, and gatherings are important. Strong social connections make people happier and physically healthier which typically translates into engagement and productivity.
That’s why spring is a good time to refresh the process of get-togethers.
Bad meetings can be one of the biggest drag factors in business today and given the challenges of the past year, do we really need this kind of additional challenge? The vast array of ineffective and inefficient meetings was one of the factors that contributed to me choosing to leave corporate life.
Take a look at how effective meetings actually are for you, your team and your business. Think about how purposeful they are, which decisions need to be taken and what needs to be tabled in order to enable this to happen. Who is in the meeting, who is chairing it and a clear agenda are all crucial. Think about how action orientated your meetings can be - how well are the big issues being brought to the table and dealt with?
These basics are easy to forget in the busy-ness of the working week however they yield so much value and return. Let spring serve as the opportunity to refresh your approach - now including the mix of virtual with some long awaited face to face.
4. Audit Your Accountability
Because the more accountability there is, the more a business benefits.
A few questions to ask include:
How effective are people at what they’re doing?
To what extent are they delivering the activities and the tasks they set out to accomplish?
How strong and effective is the collaboration that exists?
How well are your people lifting their heads up to growth and improvement?
And for leaders specifically (because you need to be more accountable than anyone):
How well are you holding your teams to account, setting clear expectations, giving clear, high-quality feedback and focusing on the buzz and energy that comes when things are working well?
Do you have someone holding you to account?
Naturally, there are some big asks here, but the process begins with finding which are the most important questions to ask.
5. Inspiring Communication
This one faces two ways: leaders can inspire through communication, and inspire the urge to communicate in others. After all, dialogue is the lifeblood of business.
It goes without saying that we are all in desperate need of inspiration, vision and good news after what has been the most challenging year for decades, but for leaders there is a clear mandate here: for frequent and regular communications.
It’s more essential than ever that you regularly let people know the state of play so they understand the contribution and impact they’re making, both collectively and individually.
Discover What If…
…you step up to become better, fitter and stronger in your leadership. If you feel inspired, you will have inspired employees as a result.
When it comes to Inspiring Leadership one thing is for sure: This pandemic has raised the bar when it comes to being an inspirational leader.
To achieve great things and inspire people, today, more than ever, you need to channel energy into what really matters and throw the kitchen sink at it.
And this is never more appropriate than in spring.
Or as a great philosopher once said:
“Do or do not: there is no try” (yes, it was Yoda).
Meet Kate Fletcher
I have 25 years’ experience transforming businesses, including as Commercial Director on the Board of a FTSE250 company. I’ve worked closely with over 150 Chairmen & women, CEO’s and senior executives.
I work with CEO’s, Boards, Leaders & their organisations. I work with clients 1-2-1 & as a group.
Working with me provides a different perspective & the benefit of a collective wisdom from others in the same boat.
Beyond work I’ve inspired & led winning teams, having sailed around the world & played national hockey. As a mum to two children, I also understand the reality of balancing family & career.
You can stay connected with me via LinkedIn or email me to arrange an exploratory conversation.
