As the business landscape goes through major transformations, those at the top of various business organizations, particularly Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (Saccos) must be awake to the reality that leadership isn’t just about holding a title or occupying a corner office in an organization.
In this case, they should learn to understand that, leadership is all about showing up every single day with authenticity, empathy and a clear sense of purpose.
It should dawn to any transformative leader worth their salt that, whether you are leading a corporate team or a business organization, you cannot have it done without certain leadership strategies. They include, but not limited to the following;
- Begin with Self-Awareness
It is said that, true leadership begins with self-awareness, during which one must take their time each morning for self-reflection asking themselves: What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? How can I leverage my strengths to change my weaknesses into my strengths? Knowing yourself deeply allows you to lead with authenticity and integrity.
- Setting clear intentions
It is important for any leader to first set clear their intentions before they engage in the day’s tasks as part of the foundation on how they want to show up. In this case ask yourself: What values do you want to embody? What impact do you want to make? By clearly defining your intentions, you give yourself a roadmap to follow, to ensure your actions align with your values.
- Embrace Active Listening
Any serious leader must know at the back of their mind that leadership is not just about speaking, but it is also about listening. It is important to consciously listen actively to your team members, colleagues and peers as well.
Ensure you give them your full attention, ask clarifying questions and show empathy. More often than not, when people feel heard and understood, they are more likely to trust and respect you as a leader.
In some peculiar circumstances, we often want to give a solution or quick response to what we are being told, but if we take a little bit of our time to listen, we provide more thoughtful responses or contributions to the conversation.
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- Lead by Example
It is always said and believed that, actions speak louder than words. As a true leader, if you want your team to be punctual, reliable and hardworking, you must embody those qualities yourself. In this case, ensure you are the first to arrive and the last to leave at the workplace as a sign of dedication to your work and a commitment to excellence in everything you do.
It is on these footprints that your team will take cues from and follow suit. It is equally important as leaders, one needs to model their behaviors and qualities to what they want to see in others.
- Foster Collaboration
It is important that, great leaders naturally understand that success is a team effort and spirit, all in one piece. Leaders have within their powers an opportunity to create an environment where collaboration is encouraged and valued. Ordinarily speaking, when people feel empowered to share ideas and work together towards a common goal, innovation thrives, and morale improves.
- Provide Feedback and Recognition
In any ecosystem, whether in business or workplace, it is critical to understand that feedback is essential for growth and transformation. As team leader, it is important to take time to provide constructive feedback to your team members regularly and ensure you celebrate their successes and recognize their contributions publicly. When people feel acknowledged and appreciated, they’ are motivated to perform at their best.
- Practice Gratitude
It is naturally important for any human being, be it a leaders or not, to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Ensure that you take a moment each day to reflect on what you are thankful for, whether it is the support from your team members, the opportunity to make a difference or some new happening in the environment around you.
There is every reason for you to express your gratitude to those around you and you will be assured of fostering a positive culture built on appreciation and goodwill.
Imagine that simple “thank you” email message sent to one of your employees for a task well-handled could be a game-changer in their working morale or career.
Leadership is not about making spectacular gestures or being eloquent in spelling out workplace policies, but it is equally all about approaching each day with sincerity, compassion and intention.
In other words, leadership is about inspiring others to bring their best to work by creating a safe and enabling environment.
By Ben Oroko
The Writer is a communications Practitioner and Correspondent based in Kisii County.
benoroko2000@yahoo.com
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