In her recent Harvard Business Review article, The Most Important Leadership Competencies, According to Leaders Around the World, Sunnie Giles shares her thoughts on what makes highly effective leaders. Her finding are based on her initial research of 195 leaders in 15 countries over 30 global organizations. From a list of 74 the leaders were asked to identify the 15 most important competencies. Her findings, below, are exciting learnings for great leaders.
Giles writes: “Taken together, these attributes are all about creating a safe and trusting environment. A leader with high ethical standards conveys a commitment to fairness, instilling confidence that both they and their employees will honor the rules of the game. Similarly, when leaders clearly communicate their expectations, they avoid blindsiding people and ensure that everyone is on the same page. In a safe environment employees can relax, invoking the brain’s higher capacity for social engagement, innovation, creativity, and ambition.”
In a nutshell, it is about shared values, empowerment to help others find the greatness within themselves and creating a culture and environment of trust, collaboration and continuous learning. Great leaders take counsel and inspiration from the words of John Quincy Adams: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Be more than you ever dreamed you could be.
Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!
