My biggest leadership fear and what you can do to prevent it π
The biggest risk to leadership
My biggest leadership fear is apathy.
The risk that emerging leaders become so disillusioned by the scale of the problems their organisations or industries face they stop trying.
Or the risk that those who feel so disenfranchised by current leaders that they give in to indifference (or worse, just assimilate to the lowest common denominator behaviour).
The risk that the future leaders who could make a tangible difference, don't.
A bigger risk to organisations is that they create environments where apathy prevails and those who could make a difference, leave.Β Meaning the pipeline for future influential positions is full of the same as the organisation already has.
I've seen and heard of on this many occasions, and feel equally disappointed each time.
Having worked for and with some of the biggest organisations I am (directly and indirectly) very aware of the feeling that what you're doing doesn't matter, or that you can barely scratch the surface of what needs to change.
When it all feels a bit too hard, here are a few ways you can avoid falling into the trap that is apathy and help pull your team from it's jaws:
Help Yourself
Be a first follower to a lone nutΒ - find someone doing something great and help them make a change.
Focus on the changes you can make - each interaction you have with your team or customers/clients is an opportunity to make a difference as a leader and impact at least one person.
Volunteer - sometimes we need to offset our corporate struggles with a good dose of perspective.
Help Your Team
Be the change - let your teamΒ know that you are challenging things that don't work orΒ finding new approaches to problems.
Champion their impact -Β let them know the difference they are making to the team, the organisations and your customers / clients.
Empower your team to make changes; be open to their feedback and encourage a culture of continuous improvement.
"Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so."
Unknown (thanks to Anne-Marie Elias for sharing on LinkedIn)
Catch up: This week on LinkedIn
Want to see your management or leadership challenge addressed with helpful advice and resources?Β Email me at steph@stephclarke.com and let me know what topics you'd like me to include in future newsletters.
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