As organizations around the country pursue change-management initiatives, it pays to stay focused on leadership. For a better understanding of the subject, we sat down with two experts in the field: Henry Cloud, leadership expert and author of The Power of the Other, and Jess Melo, executive vice president of sales training at Paycom.
Here’s a preview of the insights they shared in episode 80 of the HR Break Room® podcast.
Every great leader is defined by this core trait
What qualities do you associate with great leadership? Adjectives that come to mind may include “confident,” “charismatic” or “bold.” And while each of these traits is desirable, another element of leadership is 100% essential: Every leader must have a vision for a desired future outcome.
Whether in business, politics or other endeavors, it is impossible to formulate a strategy for moving from Point A to Point B without an understanding of what Point B is in the first place. And no amount of people skills will compensate for failure to properly define and communicate this understanding.
An organization’s culture is shaped by its leaders
The importance of a nurturing, supportive and positive company culture cannot be overestimated, as it plays an undeniable role in keeping employees engaged – and, in the long run, keeping them on board. The alternative is a culture of stagnation and fear, which every organization should strive to avoid. But how?
In many cases, leaders set the tone, making it important for those in managerial roles – not to mention the C-suite – to embody the traits of caring, positivity and innovation they wish to see reflected in the broader workforce.
Now is an essential time to develop leaders
The world of work in mid-2020 already looks different than it did when the year started. Stability – staying afloat in a sea of change – is understandably a primary concern for businesses nationwide.
But this objective must be balanced with preparation for the future, which means investing in the people who have the vision and attitude to lead. It also means investing in technology, including the latest innovations in learning platforms, to ensure employees and leaders maintain a constant state of development.
Ready to dive deeper? For more on these and other insights from Cloud and Melo, listen to episode 80 of HR Break Room.
