How to LEAD WELL
Alice Olins on the best way to exert a positive influence on others
Gone are the days when leaders stood with fists clenched behind a large desk, incentivising work on a quid pro quo basis. That type of leadership isn’t just dated – it’s a professional turnoff. Millennials (our cultural and professional barometers) want leaders who inspire change based on the collective good. That’s great news for women because we tend to work and lead in this way already. Leadership is change, from transaction to transformation, and we do it all the time, yet a lot of women still struggle to see themselves as leaders. It’s ironic, because the shift that leadership is undergoing at the moment favours our empathetic, sometimes subtle and nuanced way of doing things.
Modern leadership is about sharing ideas, facilitating conversations, asking questions and being okay not having all the answers, inspiring others and driving change, as well as communicating when things must stay the same. Leadership is being honest and bringing your best self to the table, so those around you can do the same. You don’t have to be the boss or have a team below you to lead. Put simply, leaders inspire others in their spheres of influence, and no boardroom seat is required for that.
So how can we learn to lead better? First, you need to believe that you have the right to lead, and second, you need to make a start with something you feel passionate about.
Take an organisational improvement, something charitable in your area, or someone you want to support rising up the ranks, and be vocal about that passion. Share it with others, make it a point you are known for. This is leading. This is inspiring. This is making a difference. Once you are doing that, you can expand your suite of passions. These values will sometimes be those of the company you work for, but can also be informed by your colleagues or just something you really believe in. Leadership isn’t power suits and dolling out pay rises, it’s inspiring those around you and sharing your true self.
So how do you inspire others to your causes? By using action and language. On the action front, remember to lead by example. Show others that you’re motivated to make positive changes by getting involved yourself. Language is a finer art, but one that has the power to inspire through constructed visions and smart communication. Here are my top three tips on how to use it as a leadership tool.
1. Frame your proposition Don’t just tell the facts – build them into a compelling story. For example, one stonemason describes his job as cutting rock, the other says he’s building a cathedral. The second draws you into the bigger picture by creating a vision of the future and that makes it more compelling.
2. Use repetition Leaders have clear visions and they stick to them. As humans, we need to hear a message seven times for it to stick. Don’t feel you need to keep reinventing the wheel, just keep your message and actions clear and repeat them often.
3. Intonation It’s not just what we say, but how we say it. Think about words or phrases that need more emphasis. Intonation and pace give what you say gravitas.
The moral of this modern leadership story is that you’re already a leader, so inhabit the space, enjoy your ability to influence others and don’t feel you need to change to show your authority. Lead with empathy and compassion and you’ll never go wrong.