5 Key Elements Of Strong Leadership

Without the right leadership organisations can flounder and fail. History provides many examples of where power and poor leadership have caused major issues and taken companies in to disrepute. The spectacular failure of huge organisations such as Enron, one of the world’s largest energy companies employing over 20,000 staff, saw it’s rogue leadership drive them in to one of the biggest financial fraud cases and bankruptcy of this century. So what can make the difference between success and failure? The best CEO’s harness 5 key elements:

1. Vision and Values

A clear vision of where the organisation is heading and what the strategic intent is are fundamentals. Having clarity with everyone working towards the same future keeps the whole organisation aligned. Values are at the core of an organisation’s identity. They let employees know how they can expect to be treated. Strong values based on integrity and trust and that live and breathe within the organisation, are what drives a culture that has employees saying ‘this is a great place to work’.

2. Communication

Communication means listening and not just talking. A mistake that many leaders make is to just push out orders without paying attention to customers and staff. Making sure that all levels of management and employees have a voice that will be heard enables top leaders to harness intelligence and innovation that can set the business apart from the competition. Fostering good communications ensures alignment and efficiency. Without it disengagement creeps in.

3. Team Work

People need to understand where they are heading and what is expected of them. Clear targets and achievable goals linked to the vision and strategy are key drivers for successful teams. No one person can do it alone and effective CEOs and leaders understand the importance of every individual playing their part. An organisation that invests in its people enables personal development and clear career paths that tap into the motivation of individuals and teams alike. Research shows individuals don’t leave organisations, they leave their manager. The top CEOs understand the importance of building effective relationships and recognizing the contribution that every single person makes.

4. Emotional Intelligence

Management style and behaviours are a foundation stone. Identifying, understanding and taking appropriate action with regards to emotions increases success in all aspects of life and especially in the work place. Being self-aware, understanding the impact they have on others, controlling their own emotions and managing the emotions of others, enables top leaders to remain calm in all situations. With a measured response rather than an emotional reaction, top CEOs can manage difficulties and situations when others are losing their heads.

5. Global Concern

Taking a broad and long-term perspective enables top CEO’s to ensure the sustainability of the organisation. Not only is it important to place a focus on the wellbeing of employees but also on the wider impact of the organisation. Community concern and environmental impact are fundamentals for a successful blue print. Get it wrong and customers and employees alike will switch allegiance to the competition. Harnessing what are important factors for others and inspiring people to be the best that they can be set the best CEOs apart from the competition.