One of my favourite songs by Black Eyes Peas is GET READY! Are you ready for this – Leadership Matters…and the research backs it!

The starting point to any change process is you and how you view yourself as a leader. Once you reflect on where you at in your leadership journey and what it is about, you can then take everything to an exciting new level by looking beyond you, to your community, across Australia and globally. The opportunity to connect and influence a bigger global community has increased significantly with the progress in technology and social media. The key aspect in bringing about global change however, is to create economic and societal progress in a globally responsible and sustainable way. This requires seeing issues and opportunities from multiple perspectives, and seeing ourselves as part of a global community. By having a visionary, leadership approach that projects us beyond political timeframes, you will create a sustainable outcome for generations to come – demonstrating globally responsible leadership should be a top priority! Leadership DOES matter and YOU can play your part to make a difference by inspiring innovation with your leadership!

“In a nutshell, no matter how good you are, if you don’t have effective leaders around you to support the vision and drive accountability, you won’t achieve your goal” – Steve Waugh (former Australian Cricket Captain)

Research On Australia’s Leadership And Management

The SAL Report “Do Australian Leaders Have what it takes” shows that Australian organisations should be concerned about the state of leadership and management capability. The findings reveal a pattern of mediocre leadership in many organisations that will likely impair their capacity to shift to a knowledge economy and impede their efforts to raise productivity. Seven gaps and weaknesses stand out as areas of concern, painting a worrying picture of the ability of Australian organisations to address future challenges

What Makes A Great Leader?

A Linkedin article by Luke McCormack “Why Leadership Matters” asks what really makes a good leader. And why should organisations prioritise leadership? Besides maximising productivity and achieving business goals, leadership is central to providing the foundations for innovation and growth – and there are several reasons for this:

• Leadership is critical to providing staff with a frame of reference for what a company stands for
• Good direction and a solid leadership team instils confidence in employees that their personal growth and careers will be supported by the business
• And finally, leadership that creates a safe and supportive environment will ultimately enable the business

But leadership is the glue that enables business units and teams to seamlessly work together – without it, business resources are hopeless. For me, it is all about being able to anticipate, embrace, and drive change within the business. Good leadership also focuses on people – and is key to motivating and engaging teams, empowering and guiding business units, as well as for developing the talent of individuals.

Learn leadership and be part of a global community from only $18 a month!

Elevate YOUR Leadership Today!

Inan Inc. 2017 article “Why Your Leadership Matters,” many factors determine any team’s, company’s or country’s success, but none more than their leader. At the beginning of the day, it’s all about possibilities. At the end of the day, it’s all about results. In today’s ultra-competitive marketplace, you need to produce extraordinary results and where there is an extraordinary team, you can bet there is an inspiring leader. That’s why leadership – specifically, your leadership – matters!

Leadership matters … right now, today … no matter what situation you find yourself in. Inspiring leadership is the single biggest factor in achieving extraordinary results. A recent study of 30,000 leaders found that the top 10 percent of leaders generated twice the net income as the middle 80 percent. The study also identified one critical competency that distinguished the top 10th percentile of leaders from the rest: the ability to inspire and motivate others to high performance!

Being Taught To Be A Leader

In my blog “Rule #1 Leadership Isn’t Easy” I outlined thatbeing a leader is so much harder than it looks. It’s not easy however it’s definitely worth it. I didn’t realise how important leadership was until I started working in a space where I was teaching and coaching it, however they don’t really teach you leadership at school do they? Leadership really has nothing to do with the title or role you hold. The moment you start your own company, you suddenly realise how many “I want to be a leader or an entrepreneur” are out there. They want to be seen as a leader instead of mastering the one thing that actually makes a leader a real leader. Leadership is about leading without the title!

As a leader, it’s up to you to operate in a way that allows others to feel at ease and safe, to feel understood, and to work in the way that’s best for them–even if it’s not the way you operate. As a leader, you role is to inspire them to learn more, be more and do more. You, as a leader, have to take a step back from your impulsive, emotional reactions, and instead operate from a place of calm understanding, kindness and courage. And that’s a skill that isn’t taught in school or clubs, or even on sports teams. It is learned through watching and learning from others closely who embody these traits and also building your own inner courage and strength. And, it’s learned through diligent self-inquiry and reflection, and constantly practicing the art of being resilient, passionate and brave.

Build In Leadership Essentials As A Foundation

LeadershipHQ is excited to be working with Veriskills where our Leadership Essentials Program where you are awarded for Collaboration outcomes. The Leadership Essentials Program is either a self-paced (not Veriskills) or a group and one on one leadership program which takes 6-9 months and gives participants the human capabilities, tools, skills and resources to be the best person and leader they can be. The Human Capability outcomes you will be awarded on completion of our Leadership Essentials program are as follows:

·      Initiative and Drive (Level 3)

·      Communication (Level 3)

·      Collaboration (Level 3)

·      Empathy (Level 3)

Benefits of Leadership

The benefits of effective leadership are well-documented across various fields. Research on leadership benefits highlights its positive impacts on organizations, employees, and overall performance. Here are some key areas where the benefits of leadership have been extensively studied:

1. Organisational Performance

• Enhanced Productivity: Research shows that effective leadership leads to increased productivity and efficiency within organisations. Leaders who provide clear direction, set achievable goals, and support their teams contribute to higher performance levels.
• Financial Performance: Studies indicate that organisations with strong leadership often experience better financial outcomes, including higher profitability and shareholder returns .
• Innovation and Growth: Leaders who foster a culture of innovation encourage creativity and new ideas, leading to business growth and competitive advantage .

2. Employee Satisfaction and Engagement

• Job Satisfaction: Effective leadership is closely linked to higher job satisfaction among employees. Leaders who communicate well, recognise achievements, and create a positive work environment contribute to happier and more satisfied employees .
• Employee Engagement: Engaged employees are more committed, motivated, and productive. Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering engagement by creating a sense of purpose, providing opportunities for development, and ensuring employees feel valued .
• Retention Rates: Good leadership reduces employee turnover. Employees are more likely to stay with organisations where they feel supported, respected, and have opportunities for growth .

3. Team Dynamics and Collaboration

• Team Cohesion: Effective leaders build strong, cohesive teams by promoting trust, collaboration, and open communication. This leads to better teamwork and collective problem-solving .
• Conflict Resolution: Leaders skilled in conflict resolution can address and mitigate disputes quickly and fairly, maintaining a positive work environment and preventing disruptions to productivity .

4. Personal and Professional Development

• Skill Development: Leaders who invest in the development of their team members help them acquire new skills and competencies, which can lead to career advancement and personal growth .
• Mentorship and Coaching: Effective leaders act as mentors and coaches, providing guidance, feedback, and support to help employees reach their full potential .

5. Organisational Culture and Values

• Positive Culture: Leadership significantly influences organisational culture. Leaders who embody and promote core values such as integrity, inclusivity, and respect create a positive and productive work environment .
• Ethical Standards: Ethical leadership fosters a culture of trust and ethical behaviour, reducing instances of misconduct and promoting a sense of fairness and accountability .

6. Adaptability and Change Management

• Resilience: Leaders help organisations navigate through changes and challenges, building resilience and the ability to adapt to new circumstances .
• Change Implementation: Effective leadership is crucial for successfully implementing change initiatives. Leaders who communicate the vision and benefits of change can reduce resistance and gain buy-in from employees .

Conclusion

The research underscores the numerous benefits of effective leadership, highlighting its critical role in enhancing organisational performance, employee satisfaction, team dynamics, and overall organisational culture. By understanding and leveraging these benefits, organisations can develop better leaders and achieve sustainable success.

Get in touch today to learn more about building a leadership skills and set yourself up for success!

Stay Kind. Stay Courageous.

References

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