Transformational Leadership Strategies

Leadership Feedback Series: Part I of V So, you already know feedback is important to leadership success, but how effectively do you receive it?  Well, to start with, do not try to "keep secrets." Receiving feedback on your leadership behavior is a true gift that needs to be cherished and nurtured.  One of the best ways of showing appreciation for the gift and nurturing future feedback is to tell people the important points of what you heard.  Unfortunately, many executives do not take this step, because most are afraid of telling people the negative feedback.  Talking about the positive is seldom the problem; but the negative is something we want to hide.  We often do not talk about or acknowledge receiving feedback.  Instead, we pretend that it never happened, hope it will be forgotten, and try to keep it secret.   

In my last blog post, I talked about several Leadership Principles, ending with Leadership Principle 4:  Leadership is about being Comfortable with Discomfort.  Sounds confusing, right?  What does that look like, how does it occur and why is it important?

You’re at your desk when suddenly Burt, one of your team members, comes in and lays his big problem right in your lap. How do you typically react?  If you’re like many leaders, you take it on and solve the problem.  Then, you’re on to the next problem or issue.  Sound familiar? What just happened?

One of the biggest misconceptions that people in our industry have about leadership is the well-intentioned belief that being a leader is about being authentically “yourself”.  I will buy the authentic part – especially when it comes to showing appreciation and affection for those who contribute significantly to the company through their work.  I might even extend that to how you correct behaviors that are not consistent with the organization's mission, vision or values.  But there are lots of things in between affection and correction that can make the difference between a motivated and unmotivated team.  Being yourself, in fact, can get you into real trouble as a leader.  But, I’m getting ahead of myself.