In today's business world, there's a growing challenge. Strong, effective leadership is in low supply and high demand. And businesses are suffering as a result.
So, why the gap?
More and more business owners, entrepreneurs, executives and managers are finding that what it takes to succeed personally and what it takes to be an effective leader of others - teams, employees, companies - seem to be in conflict.
It's easy for leaders to get caught up with meeting targets and lose sight of the leadership skills they need to motivate teams. It's time that we, as leaders, give the skill of leadership the same focus we would any other aspect of the job and teach others in our business or organisation, the leaders coming up behind us, how to do the same.
In the new book, ‘Leading with Edge’, author Jose R. Costa shows leaders how to inspire their teams to reach levels beyond what they ever thought possible.
Costa stresses the importance of humility and self-awareness in dealing with employees. Humility can be acquired by minimising outward appearances of rank and status when communicating with employees. Leaders need to be willing to admit they don't have all the answers.
Leading is about getting others to identify what's important to them. These soft skills aren't taught in a university business school but are the hallmarks of great leaders.
The lessons in ‘Leading with Edge’ are built on four principles:
1. Gaining and sharing knowledge
a. Gaining Knowledge - Ask, Listen, and Be Curious
b. Sharing Knowledge - Provide Feedback and Promote Know-how
2. Modelling and driving expectations
a. Modelling Expectations - Watch Your Shadow
b. Driving Expectations - Set Clear Goals and Challenges
3. Dream big, work hard
a. Dream Big - Inspire and Motivate
b. Work Hard - Reward Results and Promote Meritocracy
4. Trust but verify
a. Trust - Believe in People
b. Verify - Build Trust through Accountability
Learning how to provide feedback is crucial to being an effective leader.
The secret ingredient that makes all of this work is ownership. Based on his own life experience, Jose presents a powerful argument for why taking responsibility for every aspect of your life - personal and professional - is the best way for you to cultivate your own leadership capacities, and ultimately to inspire others.
Reference: Leading with Edge: Activate Your Competitive Advantage Through Personal Insight
