Leadership Lift-Off: The “Core Five” values for Modern Teams
Curiosity, Authenticity, Compassion, Connection & Purpose
Calling all leaders (yes I mean you!) In this dynamic and pivotal era, the call for exceptional leadership has never been louder. The landscape is rife with challenges and changes, particularly in the financial services industry where we are navigating turbulent times and need to adapt to unprecedented shifts in our set of assumptions. I’m excited to introduce a new series, “Leadership Lift-Off”, designed to support both seasoned professionals and newcomers alike as they aspire to elevate themselves and their teams to new heights.
Join us as we delve into winning strategies for organizational innovation, growth and transformational leadership, providing a much-needed boost during these times of rapid change. Drawing from my own experiences in cultivating and leading world-class, high-performing teams, I aim to accelerate our collective journey towards success in the current environment and beyond. Together, we will explore the key qualities that define outstanding leaders, analyze the attributes of successful teams and offer practical insights to help you implement these concepts within your organization.
In our upcoming discussions, I will introduce the “Core Five”, a set up values distilled from my team’s immersive Level-Up Sessions we devised during the pandemic. These values are fundamental to fostering growth within any organization. Stay tuned for our exploration of the “Critical Eight” leadership capabilities which will empower you to leverage these values effectively and thrive in the rapidly evolving reality.
Let’s embark on this journey of growth and discovery together, as we strive to ascend with greater speed and ease.
The Core Five: Let’s start with values that create strong teams!
1. Curiosity: Creating Something from Nothing in Response to an Unmet Challenge
In today’s dynamic world, modern leaders stand out for their incredible ability to spot challenges and craft innovative solutions that break the mold. This prowess stems from an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an unrelenting curiosity about the world around us.
No matter the industry, background or education, leaders weave their unique life experiences into the fabric of problem solving. They thrive on collaboration, drawing from the collective wisdom of those around them to spark the best ideas and solutions.
Take my journey for instance, I’ve tapped into my diverse life experience as a wellspring of inspiration. In my previous “lives”, I was both a trained dancer and a journalist. Dance instilled in me the discipline necessary to master technique, deliver excellence and create something from nothing all to creatively convey story and emotion through movement. It also gave me the unshakable confidence to perform under pressure before a (hopefully) entranced audience!
Journalism on the other hand, sharpened my storytelling abilities while honing my investigative interviewing skills to get to the core of any story or problem. These varied experiences gave me years of practice in finding the white space to play, the vulnerability to notice where that might be to birth bold, innovative ideas. In essence, it’s this blend of curiosity and creativity that propels leaders to think outside the realms of their comfort zones and pioneer groundbreaking solutions that change the market. Embrace your unique experiences and create the space to let your curiosity lead the way. This is where transformative ideas are born!
2. Authenticity: Being True to Yourself and Others Brings Trust
Authentic leaders lean into the importance of embracing one’s true self in the workplace, while fostering a culture and an environment that makes it safe to do so. Research cited in the Harvard Business Review reveals that a significant 8 out of 10 employees who prioritize authenticity at work experience tangible benefits, like fewer politics, greater trust and stronger productivity and business outcomes. Modern business is no longer a siloed, waterfall operation – we must be connected and algorithmic in the way we work together. This requires genuine, authentic and human connection to establish a more positive and collaborative work environment.
In practical terms, embodying authenticity is the ability to bring your complete, transparent self to your work – acknowledging both your strengths and your flat spots. By practicing authenticity, you lay the foundation for trust with your colleagues and team members, promoting open and candid communication that fosters a culture of honesty and mutual respect.
3. Compassion: It’s about them, it’s not about you
It’s not always easy, but being a true leader means that most of the time it’s going to be about your team, not yourself. People are humans! And, they are very adept at recognizing when their boss takes credit for work they have done or is only focused on productivity. They are also sensitive to when a leader turns a blind eye to challenges and roadblocks they may be facing—whether in their personal or professional lives. If teams feel supported, they will be empowered to deliver their best work which is a huge win for everyone!
Empathy is one of the most crucial attributes a leader has in their toolkit. It is also a skill that can be learned and enhanced over time, just like developing core strength can be achieved through a regular gym regimen. Prioritize check-ins to ask teams how they are doing and how you can help them be successful. And then—this is critical—shut up and wait for them to answer without interruption.
To be viewed as a leader that your team will get behind through thick or thin, you must show them how much you care—through your actions, interactions and conversations. Get to know your team members on an individual level, so together you can create the environment that optimizes their unique talents and skills while creating a culture that is not only high performing, but truly joyful.
4. Connection: Connecting with teams not only builds trust, it’s deeply fulfilling
Just as empathy and compassion are vital, forging meaningful connections with your colleagues and team members is essential for building trust, collaboration, and teamwork. Establishing these connections requires intention but creates an incredible sense of safety within the team. Prioritize developing honest, meaningful relationships with employees, colleagues, vendors, customers, and the community. Lead by listening, understanding, and genuinely connecting with others. This approach not only makes them feel valued but also brings you a deep sense of fulfillment.
5. Purpose: Find your “why”, then live and lead by it
People are drawn to and inspired by a greater mission. Leaders who follow their inner purpose through their words and actions embody the guiding principles that shape all their work. As a leader, you must understand your “true north”—what you stand for and what you won’t tolerate. Without a compelling “why,” work efforts become shallow and uninspiring. The Milton Friedman approach to leadership, which focuses solely on delivering value to shareholders, is a 20th-century framework. Today, businesses can achieve and represent so much more.
Documenting, communicating, and making decisions based on this purpose not only creates strategic alignment but also fosters cultural alignment. Clearly articulating non-negotiables, as well as the collective vision and mission, helps everyone understand the reasons behind our choices and ensures a unified understanding of the boundaries we maintain. This clarity also sparks new ideas that advance the reasons why your company, business unit, or team exists. Involving the team in defining and deploying the purpose fosters loyalty and engagement that are difficult to break. This is why people show up and give their best every day.
By cultivating these five core traits and focusing on them daily, you will rapidly enhance your leadership abilities. Growth in leadership isn't a one-time effort; it requires the development of consistent, regular habits through mindful, repetitive practice.
Above all, remember that being an innovative, impactful leader means always putting your team first. Leadership is not about you; it’s about them. By consistently practicing authentic servant leadership, you will earn your team’s trust and admiration. In turn, they will elevate their efforts and actions, contributing to the betterment of the entire organization.
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