Intelligent CXO Issue 06 | Page 32

FEATURE better delivered and more memorable when given by leaders on the spot .
SMART LEADERS RECOGNISE THAT THEIR INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBERS HAVE THEIR OWN STRENGTHS , NEEDS AND CONCERNS AND MOTIVATE AND COMMUNICATE ACCORDINGLY .
Fairness . Perceptions of a fair workplace are a differentiating factor for the highest performing leaders . This is characterised by factors such as a lack of office politics and leaders and managers not having ‘ favourites ’ within teams . Exceptional leaders share their power and their status : they are prepared to roll up their sleeves and work alongside their people , which directly connects them on a personal level .
Let people breathe – nobody works at their best when they ’ re exhausted or stressed . Our evidence shows that great leaders recognise this and ensure their people have the right sort of balance to be at their most productive . They actively avoid a culture of over-work and burnout . Again , the basics of being human – considerate to those around you – come in to play .
A new leadership framework
We ’ ve seen time and again that change is a catalyst for the emergence of true leaders . Today is no different . Great leaders in our new normal will question what ’ s really important . They will guide their organisations to deliver what they know their customers and stakeholders want by listening to them . They will understand that new rules of engagement are needed with their employees . And they will know that employees ’ and customers ’ behaviours have changed – some permanently .
Those leaders who successfully steer their organisations over the next few months and years will retain all of the harder business capabilities from the past . But they will also excel at the softer skills that have come to the fore in the past 18 months .
Now is the time for leaders to take time to assess themselves , to choose to behave differently and to build a culture in which a highperforming , balanced organisation can thrive : one which equalises strategic business focus with real , open humanity . x
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