5 leadership and 3 life lessons that really resonate
Contrary to the title, the American Business School I worked with is lucky to have a lecturer (who happens to be an incredible mentor of mine) who believes in bringing in leaders with hard-earned lessons to share, adding flavour and food for thought for these future leaders.
When asked to share in a guest lecture my lessons in leadership and why they mattered, here’s the first five that came to mind:
Good leadership:
Is Do as I do, not (just) as I say - I’ve critiqued former managers and myself as manager for not doing this, but I’ve definitely felt better and performed best when I’ve worked for managers leading this way, and seen my teams thrive when I’ve acted in a way I’d love us all to. As a leadership coach, I feel I have a lovely responsibility to do my best in practising what I preach, and will be the first to admit when I get it wrong, regularly!
Unites people around a big vision – which is clear, inspiring, engaging and has everyone proud to be a part of something much bigger than themselves. From sexy visions like ‘being the best travel company FOR the world’ to mundane-sounding ones like ‘saving the taxpayer £9 for every £1 spent’. I’ve signed up hook, line and sinker to organisational visions I’m proud to be a part of, and quit on organisations whose visions get diluted, confused or downtrodden in mergers.
Is participatory where possible – engagement comes from listening, responding, involving, consulting and co-creating with your team where possible. We all feel and do better when our opinion is valued, we won’t always get our way on things, but knowing we were heard, and there’s a good reason for not going that way, does wonders for our sense of purpose.
Takes responsibility for the big decisions – it’s why you’re in the role; for taking a call, a calculated risk, making the best decision you can in that moment, given the information you have. And sometimes that will be less than you like, and will not be popular with everyone. Sometimes you’ll get it wrong, but it’s the best you could do, so it was the right thing at the time. Then, best to admit it, which brings me to…
Admits what they don’t know and aren’t good at – the pressure to know everything, be a great all-rounder, and be able to mentor all team members is natural – and it’s neither realistic nor helpful. No one likes a micro-manager who thinks they can do your job better than you do. Name the elephant in the room, tell your team members that they are the expert you trust to make good calls where you can, and have an open door for when a coaching conversation and guide is helpful. That’s where their (and your) growth comes from.
Yet this is what the students actually took from my lecture:
I shared all this and more, about leadership, organisational change, career management, and creating impact. Yet the takeaways students quoted back at me in their generous thankyous were far more about the human condition than lofty lessons about leadership.
Here’s what they loved the most:
“My favourite part of the conversation was you saying that it’s best to come into a job being yourself…there’s the underlying pressure of being perfect, but you made me realise how much authenticity is more important than perfection.”
“ I really appreciated your insight and advice. I think switching my mentality towards an “I get the privilege to be where I am at” is going to be very beneficial for me. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in life and not appreciate where you are at.”
“During our conversation, you said, "We have to figure out when good enough is good enough." As someone who can be a perfectionist at times, that quote is a great reminder that somethings are as good as they are going to get. I wrote your quote in my calendar!”
My heart is full that some of the things I said offhand really resonated and will make a difference. All a good reminder for me too, and things I wish I’d known and understood much earlier!
What would you share if asked to lecture on your biggest leadership lessons?
And what life lesson would be most helpful for the leaders of tomorrow, something you wish you’d have known at 21, 31 or even 41?
If you’d like to explore a coaching partnership with me, covering leadership and a fulfilling, purposeful life, get in touch we should talk.
Impactfully Yours,
Mehalah
Mehalah Beckett is a coach, consultant and trusted advisor passionate about people, the planet and empowering others to inspire positive change. She coaches purpose-driven leaders to impossible goals, hosts Masterminds for hungry entrepreneurs and guides businesses through B-Corp. What can I help you achieve over the next year?
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