We've all had them, right? Those managers that would struggle to manage a teabag in a teapot, never mind humans in an office, yet the statistics are alarming.
According to research done by the Chartered Management Institute, more than 8 out of 10 managers - that's 82% of managers that are accidental managers with no formal training or management and leadership skills.
How does this impact the workplace environment? That 1 in 3 employees are resigning due to inept management structures, and consequentially, workplace engagement and organisational productivity suffer as a direct result.
Fear based cultures, micro-management, employee distrust etc., stem from unskilled leadership teams with archaic beliefs that ruling with an iron rod = success.
The hard truth is it doesn't, many times, as I have seen for myself, it leads to businesses going into administration.
The detrimental impact of a highly toxicity workplace cannot be underplayed.
Over 50% of annual sick days are due to work-related stress with 79% of people suffering stress contributing this solely to the workplace.
With 51% of employees 'quietly quitting' at their desks, it is very clear to see the endless opportunities for growth and scale if leadership teams are trained to drive and develop talent holistically and with individual and organisational well-being.
So, the opportunities therefore become endless for the great leaders that are keen to stand apart. Those with the vision and the mission to become high calibre leaders, driving succession planning and in-house talent development alongside a thriving workplace culture.
So is there a 'secret sauce' to be being an exceptional leader?
I firmly believe there is. And for me its based on the subtleties of The 3 C's: Communication, Courage and Cognisance.
COMMUNICATION:
Communication skills are essential in leaders not only to be able to delegate, convey strategies, and present to stakeholders etc. but also to develop and create engaged, strong working relationships, drive EQ awareness and incentivise managers and teams into achieving organisational goals.
Clear and effective communication builds trust and rapport, it facilitates growth and new opportunities, and creates an environment based on inclusion, value and respect. According to an article by HighRise, 79% of employees leave their roles due to feeling unappreciated and unsupported by unskilled leaders and managers in the workplace. Therefore, ensuring communication levels are supportive, kind, inclusive, ethical, they build trust and confidence, is key.
COURAGE:
And this sums it up perfectly! Leadership takes courage. Courage to do the right thing. Courage in driving growth, making rapid and radical decisions, steering the ship not only in calm waters but especially during the storms. And courage to introduce innovative, transformative policies and practices that keep up to date and lead new economic and industry norms.
Courageous leaders lead with virtue, humility and respect, they don't roar - they know when it's time to be bold, and they also know how and when to listen.
They understand that in order to lead and inspire, they must be ready to commit to working on their own personal growth, the growth of the organisation, and the growth of their people, and they don't take criticism or push-back personally.
They utilise courage to admit when they are wrong and step back when they need to leave others to steer the ship.
COGNISANCE:
A survey done by EY Consulting has found that "90% of US workers believe empathetic leadership leads to higher job satisfaction and 79% agree it decreases employee turnover." Awareness, Empathy, and Understanding matter, and not only are they vital to making you a good human, they are KEY to making you an exceptional leader.
Leaders that are able to establish and implement positive workplace cultures can, (according to an article in Forbes) “improve team’s health and well-being, increase engagement, and create a more collaborative and supportive work environment.” Leaders focussed on leading with EQ based interpersonal skills, foster an environment that not only has a direct positive impact on the workplace culture, but also on customer experiences and outcomes.
So in summary, leaders that excel recognise that humility, empathy, collaboration and commitment are not signs of weakness, but are in fact fundamental skillsets that transform and create workplaces that become a legacy in their own right.
They are committed to continuous learning and development, working with their own coaches and mentors to refine their skills and develop their knowledge.
If you're a leader or a manager looking for guidance on how to take your career or your organisation to the next level or you're a leader that's lost their leadership spark, contact us at info@growthcollective.uk and we look forward to seeing how we can help.
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