When discussing the essence of leadership, some suggest that it revolves around who you are as a person and your ability to influence others. This is certainly a critical aspect of leadership. It is through our values, priorities, and wisdom that others come to trust and follow us.
Others argue that effective decision-making and the ability to create momentum are essential for leaders. This is also crucial for building confidence in our ability to succeed, reach goals, and achieve sustainable growth. Team members want to be part of something meaningful that they can take pride in.
Which is more important, you might ask? The essence of leadership is a combination of both. If you lead with a highly organized approach and the best operational plan, but lack the ability to influence others due to misplaced values and priorities, you will ultimately fail. Team members may initially be drawn to your planning and operations, only to discover that you lack interpersonal skills.
Conversely, if team members are attracted to your values and priorities and your ability to influence others, but there is no operational excellence, they will leave due to a lack of progress and unmet objectives. They will seek opportunities that offer both strong leadership and operational success.
Strong leaders understand the need to balance both aspects of leadership. This requires a commitment to accountability and adherence to the right principles, values, and priorities. We must always remember that leadership is about people. However, we must also respect our work by striving for excellence and fostering momentum and growth.
For an example of a leader who demonstrates both being and doing, listen our most recent podcast episode as Bincy Sines, owner of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Grand Rapids North shares about how she leads her team to success.
