EDITORIAL
Your leadership, good or bad, will make a
difference
L
et’s discuss the understated power of leadership which exists in
every business despite its scale or size. Leadership is a remarkably
potent force, whether it is good or bad.
Regardless of its quality, leadership can transform the attitude and
performance of groups and individuals. Here are some important
elements of leadership that I see as crucial to survive in the ever
increasing connected world.
Performance
Good leadership amplifies the skills of individuals. When team
members are well led, they apply their abilities more confidently and
more proactively. Those working for an active and effective leader
tend to contribute more willingly, more often. Motivated people will
try new ideas and not feel pigeon holed, working towards better
business outcomes. On the other side of the coin, poorly led people
are likely to do the minimum necessary, to the lowest acceptable level.
Individuals are unlikely to feel pride in their work and will require close
supervision which is a distraction and ultimately an extra cost for your
business.
Teamwork
Good leadership builds teams and binds them together by promoting
a sense of shared responsibility and rewards. Effective leaders bring
people together, because individuals are happier and perform better
when they are part of a team. People who are part of a well led group
are more respectful of each other and more loyal to the team and
their leader. Initiative
Inclusive leadership combines the abilities of individuals to achieve
outcomes that would be impossible if attempted alone. Age, gender
and diversity play a huge role when building high performance teams,
especially if you are looking to deploy new technology into your
business. Good leadership allows potential leaders to spread their wings and
practice leading others. Team members get opportunities to shine and
grow, extending their confidence and leadership skills.
Change
Generation T (Technology) is here, that’s right the sons and daughters
of baby boomers who cut their social networking teeth on Myspace,
before graduating to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and,
for business LinkedIn. Of all the people we manage today, this is the
group that is the most misunderstood.
Good leadership encourages people to act on their own initiative. Self-
starters are rewarded and encouraged to speak up. People are primed
to see opportunities and exploit them.
New Leaders
This is a tactic we use at NHP by assembling cross functional project
teams to focus on what’s important. At the conclusion of the project
we have a better idea where to place those team members according
to their skillset.
In summary, sometimes it’s good to take time out of your business
and reflect on your biggest asset, your staff. At NHP we have invested
significant funds in developing the next generation of leaders across
the business.
Currently they comprise almost 40% of the workforce. By 2025, that
number will be approaching 75%. This collective of young people are
our future leaders and managers. Some of the better ones are already
managing people and are doing it well. We just have to get used to
this ever changing dynamic. We have also invested in our Sales Team with training to ensure we
remain relevant asking the customer questions about their business
it’s like the old saying you don’t know what you don’t know. We
have to be on the front foot and adjust our selling style with the ever
changing market conditions and advancement in technology.
Resilience I wish you every success for the remainder of the year.
Good leadership supports individuals and protects teams in tough
times. People who trust their leader and have confidence in their
teammates are more resilient and more likely to see beyond a crisis. Kind regards,
In rapidly changing situations, they will respond more effectively to,
and recover better from, setbacks. They are also motivated to find
better ways to safeguard the organisation from similar shocks in the
future.
Mark Pattison
Sales Director
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