Cultivating effective leadership skills

Empathy, adaptability, and inclusivity form the backbone of effective leadership. They're not just desirable attributes but essential skills for success. For leaders, especially those in the minority like women who occupy 40% of managerial roles as reported by McKinsey's Women in the Workplace Report, the journey is both challenging and rewarding.

In this article, we outline core leadership tips and strategies, guiding you on how to be a great leader whilst keeping your wellbeing in check. From self-management to creating a supportive team culture, these strategies are your keys to unlocking the true potential within your team and achieving long-lasting success.

The essence of leading

Leaders aren’t just visionaries; they’re also skilled decision-makers. According to John P. Kotter in his seminal article "What Leaders Do," effective leaders excel at steering through change by communicating a vision and rallying people to make that change happen.

“[Leaders] don’t make plans; they don’t solve problems; they don’t even organise people. What leaders really do is prepare organisations for change and help them cope as they struggle through it.” – John P. Kotter.

Sustainable leadership emphasises not only the initiation of change but its longevity and the leader's endurance. It’s about crafting a vision that steers the ship through tumultuous waters whilst also ensuring that the ship is seaworthy for many voyages to come, preventing the crew from burning out on the journey.

Leading with the right mindset

A great leader sees the untapped potential in both their team members and their ideas. In Carol S. Dweck's book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," she emphasises that embracing a growth mindset means believing that abilities can be cultivated. As she puts it, "becoming is better than being." With this perspective, a leader with a growth mindset sees possibilities, not limitations.

Ultimately, being an effective leader starts with creating an environment where everyone can grow and excel together - this belief is fundamental to leading sustainably and ensuring that your team thrives alongside you.

Core strategies for sustainable leadership

Self-management: The core of your strength

Your ability to lead others begins with leading yourself. It's about finding harmony between pushing for results and pausing for renewal. Imagine a leader who never takes a break. Eventually, their performance falters, setting a troubling example for their team. Prioritising self-care is not a luxury - it's a necessity for sustainable leadership.

Communication: The leadership lifeline

Effective communication is the glue that holds the team together during times of change. It's about articulating your vision in a way that resonates, looking out for challenges and ensuring that every team member is rowing in the same direction. Remember, it’s not about giving orders; it's about building consensus and commitment.

Empowerment: The delegation balance

The art of delegation is a balancing act. It's about trusting your team with responsibilities while providing them with the support they need. When done right, delegation can be a powerful motivator, as it demonstrates trust in your team's abilities and contributes to their professional growth.

Creating a supportive culture

The environment we work in has a profound impact on our behaviour and well-being. A culture that promotes resilience and adaptability encourages team members to speak up, innovate, and take ownership of their work. When you create an ecosystem that supports growth, you create a team that is equipped to handle the pressures that come with change.

Implementing sustainable practices

Have you ever felt like you're running on a leadership treadmill that just won't stop? You're not alone. The constant need to be available or “always on” and perform at peak levels can leave you feeling drained.

In a recent study it showed that finding a good balance between work and life is crucial for keeping leadership skills sharp for the long haul. When leaders take a mental breather from work, they come back feeling refreshed and this boost in energy translates into better leadership. This makes your team feel more supported and motivated. It's all about finding that sweet spot where you can thrive both at work and in life.

Goal-setting: The realistic approach

Aspirational goals can be motivating, but they need to be achievable to prevent discouragement. It's about setting milestones that challenge the team but also account for the journey - not just the destination. Realistic goals pave the way for small wins that accumulate over time, building confidence and momentum.

Scenario: Take the case of a marketing team aiming to increase their campaign outreach. Instead of setting a single goal of doubling their audience size within a quarter — a target that may seem daunting and demotivating — the leader can break it down. They might start with improving newsletter sign-ups by 10% in the first month by optimising the sign-up process. Achieving smaller milestones keeps the team engaged and less overwhelmed.

Work-life harmony: The new balance

Encourage your team to find their own rhythm between work commitments and personal well-being. This flexible approach can reduce stress and prevent burnout, benefiting both the individual and the organisation.

Scenario: Consider a Project Manager who notices her team’s productivity decreasing as the day wears on. Instead of pushing them harder, she introduces "recharge breaks" where team members are encouraged to step away from their desks, take a walk, or engage in a non-work-related activity for a short period. This practice helps the team manage their energy levels better, leading to sustained productivity and a happier workplace culture.

The learning leader: Staying ahead of the curve

Leaders must be learners which means keeping an open mind. Staying current on industry trends, technologies, and leadership strategies is essential to navigate future challenges. Encourage continuous learning within your team and listen to feedback - be ready to change your leadership style to match team dynamics.

Scenario: An IT department head wants to tackle the rapidly evolving tech landscape by instituting weekly learning sessions. Each week, a different team member presents a new piece of technology or a recent trend in the industry. This not only keeps the team updated but also instills a sense of contribution and ownership in each member. This approach creates a supportive environment where learning is valued and shared.

Recognising the red flags of burnout

Leaders need to be adept at recognising the early signs of burnout — both in themselves and in their team members. Watch for signs of exhaustion, apathy, or frustration, and take proactive steps to address these issues. Early intervention can make all the difference in preserving the long-term health and productivity of your team.

Signs of emotional exhaustion

Emotional exhaustion can manifest as a sense of dread about work, a feeling of detachment, or a lack of enthusiasm for projects that used to be exciting. Burnout doesn’t just affect the mind; it takes a toll on the body as well. Leaders should be alert to signs such as frequent headaches, disrupted sleep patterns or feeling overwhelmed.

Reduced performance

Burnout often shows up in the quality of work. When a dedicated employee’s performance begins to slip — missed deadlines, an increase in errors, or a decline in their usual attention to detail — it’s time to check in.

Set your boundaries: Balancing connectivity and downtime

Creating healthy boundaries is crucial for finding balance. Make sure to carve out time for activities that recharge your batteries outside of work. And when it comes to managing your availability, clear communication about your working hours, including how you handle weekend emails, is key to setting and managing expectations.

Consistency is key here too. By sticking to your boundaries, you build trust with your colleagues and show that you're reliable. Take a look at your work habits. If you don't want to be working past 8pm, resist the urge to respond to late emails until the next morning. Your team will notice and adjust accordingly.

Remember, taking breaks isn't just a luxury — it's a necessity for effective leadership, so don't feel guilty about it. Your well-being matters, and it ultimately benefits both you and your team.

Embracing the journey

Leadership is a journey, not a destination. It's a process of constant growth, learning, and adaptation. Sustainable leaders are like gardeners. They understand that to cultivate a thriving garden, they must nurture each plant — addressing its individual needs, providing it with the nutrients it requires, and ensuring it has room to grow. Similarly, a leader must nurture their team, feeding them with motivation, knowledge, and the space to innovate.

It's also crucial for leaders to keep their tools sharp — skills need to be honed, mindsets need to be expanded, and resilience needs to be built. This doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens in the rich soil of a supportive, learning-focused culture.

But what’s a garden without balance? Just as plants can suffer from too much water or too little light, team members can suffer from excessive workload or lack of guidance. It's up to the leader to find that equilibrium, ensuring that each team member can shine without burning out.

Finally, recognise that the path of leadership has its challenges, but it's how you navigate these challenges that defines your leadership style. Remember to spot the red flags, after all, a ship is only as good as its captain, and a captain is only as strong as their ability to stay the course without faltering.

Delve deeper: 5 must reads for effective leadership

Explore our list of must-reads, offering practical insights for inspiring change, motivating growth, and creating the mindset essential for effective leadership.

• “Good to Great”, by Jim C. Collins
• “Dare to Lead”, by Brené Brown
• “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success", by Carol S. Dweck
• “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, by Dale Carnegie
• “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek.