Month: November 2024
Why Humility In Leadership Will Keep Your Ego In Check – Waking Giants
Humility is one of the most important traits for a leader to possess. It allows them to check their ego, be open to learning new things, and recognize when they need help.
Without humility, leaders can become arrogant and set in their ways. They may refuse to listen to others or take advice, even when it would be beneficial. This can lead to them making poor decisions that could have been avoided.
Humility doesn’t mean that you don’t have confidence in your abilities. It simply means that you’re open to learning and growing as a leader and having a growth mindset. By being humble, you’ll be able to build better relationships with your team, learn from your mistakes, and make better decisions overall.
If you want to be a successful leader, start by checking your ego at the door. Be open to new ideas and feedback, and always be learning. Humility will help you build a strong foundation for success.
What is humble leadership and why is it important for organizations today?
Humble leadership is a style of leadership that is characterized by a focus on others, a willingness to collaborate, and a commitment to continuous learning. While humble leaders may not have all the answers, they are open to input from others and willing to work together to find solutions. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, organizations need leaders who are adaptable and willing to learn. Humble leaders provide a much-needed model of collaborative and inclusive leadership.
By valuing the contributions of others, humble leaders help create an environment in which everyone can feel respected and valued. In turn, this fosters greater trust, collaboration, and creativity within the organization. As organizations continue to face challenges associated with globalization, technological change, and increasing diversity, humble leadership will become increasingly important.
How can you practice humble leadership in your own life and work environment to improve communication and collaboration among team members?
One way to practice humble leadership is to avoid using authoritative language when communicating with team members. For example, instead of saying “I need you to do this,” try phrases like “Could you help me with this?” or “What do you think would be the best way to handle this?” This shift in language can encourage team members to feel more comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions, which can lead to better communication and collaboration.
Another way to practice humble leadership is to be open to feedback from team members. When team members feel like their voices are being heard and their input is valued, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in the work environment.
Finally, humble leaders are typically good at delegating tasks and empowering others to take on leadership roles when appropriate. This allows team members to develop their leadership skills and feel more invested in the work they are doing. By practising humble leadership, you can create a more positive and productive work environment for everyone involved.
What are the benefits of practising humble leadership in your professional and personal life?
While there are many different leadership styles, humble leadership is particularly effective in today’s business world. By definition, humble leaders are those who emphasize cooperation and collaboration over competition and ego. In other words, they seek to create a positive team environment where everyone can contribute their skills and talents. And while this may sound idealistic, research has shown that humble leadership can have significant benefits.
For example, studies have shown that humble leaders are more likely to inspire trust and respect among their followers. They’re also more likely to receive honest feedback and honest criticism, which can be invaluable for making better decisions. Moreover, humble leaders are typically more effective at handling conflict and building consensus. In short, there are many good reasons to practice humble leadership in both your professional and personal life. And while it may not always be easy, the benefits are well worth the effort.
How can you become a more humble leader, even if you don’t feel like you have the natural inclination to do so?
Most people would agree that humility is a desirable quality in a leader. humble leaders are often seen as more trustworthy and down-to-earth, and they tend to be more effective at handling difficult situations. However, humility does not come naturally to everyone. If you find yourself struggling to be humble, there are a few things you can do to become a more humble leader.
First, try to avoid talking about yourself too much. Instead, focus on listening to others and valuing their input.
Second, resist the urge to take all the credit for your team’s successes. humble leaders are quick to give credit where it’s due and acknowledge the contributions of others.
Finally, don’t be afraid to admit when you’re wrong. humble leaders are confident enough in their abilities to admit when they’ve made a mistake and learn from it. By following these tips, you can become a more humble leader, even if it doesn’t come naturally at first.
What are some common traps that lead to arrogance and egotism, and how can we avoid them?
Egotism is the trap of thinking that we are better than others. Arrogance is the trap of thinking that we are better than others and acting accordingly. Both egoism and arrogance lead to a lack of empathy and an inability to see other people’s points of view. They can also lead to a sense of entitlement and a belief that we deserve special treatment. Egotism and arrogance are often rooted in insecurity and a need for validation.
The ego is fragile and seeks validation through accomplishments, power, or possessions. When we view ourselves through the lens of ego, we are constantly comparing ourselves to others and falling short. This can lead to frustration, resentment, and even hatred. The ego is also the enemy of true happiness because it can never be satisfied. Instead of living in the present moment and enjoying what we have, we are always chasing after something more.
The ego is also the root of much suffering in the world. By definition, egotism leads to selfishness and a lack of concern for others. This can manifest itself in greed, cruelty, or indifference.
Arrogance furthers this sense of separation by adding a sense of superiority. When we feel superior to others, we are more likely to mistreat them or take advantage of them. We may also become judgmental and closed-minded, unable to see things from another perspective. Egotism and arrogance trap us in our perspectives and prevent us from connecting with others.
To avoid these traps, we need to be aware of their existence and consciously choose to let go of egoistic tendencies. We can begin by identifying egocentric thoughts and challenging them with reason. We can also practice mindfulness and cultivate self-acceptance. By letting go of egoistic tendencies, we can open ourselves up to new perspectives and find true happiness.
Are there any risks associated with practising humble leadership, and how can we mitigate them?
Humble leadership is an effective leadership style in a variety of settings. However, there are some potential risks associated with humble leadership that should be considered before adopting this approach.
One risk is that humble leaders may be perceived as weak or indecisive. Additionally, humble leaders may have difficulty asserting themselves when necessary or may fail to take credit for their successes.
Finally, humble leaders may inadvertently create an environment where others feel they can take advantage of the leader’s kindness. While these risks are significant, they can be mitigated by developing a clear and concise communication style, setting clear boundaries, and maintaining a strong sense of self-awareness.
The dangers of having an inflated ego
Having an inflated ego can be dangerous for several reasons. First, it can lead to conflicts with others. When someone has an inflated ego, they tend to see themselves as superior to others and as a result, are more likely to butt heads with those around them. Second, an inflated ego can blind someone to their faults and shortcomings. This can lead them to make poor decisions and take unnecessary risks. Third, an inflated ego often leads to a sense of entitlement.
This can cause people to become disappointed and resentful when they don’t get what they want. Lastly, an inflated ego can prevent someone from growing and learning. When someone is certain that they already know everything, they have no reason to seek out new information or experiences. Inflated egos can therefore hurt both the individual and those around them.
Summary:
Being a great leader doesn’t mean you have to know everything and be right all the time. If you can cultivate humility as one of your key traits, you will be in a much better place to lead others effectively.
When you are humble, you are open to learning new things and recognizing your limitations. You also become more accepting of other people’s ideas and feedback. This makes it easier for everyone around you to feel comfortable giving their input and contributing to the team effort.
So, what can you do to start developing humility as one of your leadership qualities? The next time you find yourself in a challenging situation, try asking for help from those around you. Recognize that nobody has all the answers and that there is always room for growth. By embracing your weaknesses and being willing to learn from others, you will begin taking steps toward becoming a truly great leader.
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Are Humans Just A Minimum Viable Product Just Trying To Meet The Market Need? – Waking Giants
Not coming from the tech space this might be a gross mis-use of a concept, but nonetheless I thought it was an interesting idea, but before the article was well rounded and finished my great friend Paul tipped it on its head…
We are born as Maximum Viable Products but then conditioning limits us and we become Minimum – having been forced into society’s norms and limitations at an early age. We then spend the rest of our life (those with a growth mindset) trying to get from Minimum viability back to Maximum viability – with all the struggles that you set out about fear of failure etc – all of which are learnt social norms and restrictions. I mean, what child learning to walk fears failure? Exactly 0%.
There is no better evidence of this than social media and the tidal wave of platforms where we as humans (the product) are testing ourselves against the response of others (the customer) and on most occasions we don’t meet the grade. In our own mind anyway.
Those who maintain a fixed mindset through life (the overwhelming majority) do not try and go from Minimum to Maximum. They barely hang on to Minimum and with advances in technology and learning are in fact all going backwards at an exponential rate.
Dr Carol Dweck, author of Mindset talks at great length about the journey of failure and testing that we all have to do to be successful. And sometimes success comes in the form of failure. But that type of failure is what we use to look at our features, tweak and improve, then go back to the market.
I think we are all born with a growth mindset – that is nature’s natural state and a fixed mindset is a learned restriction. That is not just us – all species are the same. A tree is born with a growth mindset and it never changes – unlike humans.
Animals only learn a fixed mindset through conditioning (the same way humans do) – eg circus or zoo animals vs those in the wild.
Humans are overpowered by conditioning – it governs us. That will not change because of how our brains work. That is not the issue. The real issue is – most of the conditioning is negative and limiting.
One of our biggest challenges is that we often seek feedback from the wrong customers… in that if we don’t get a like, a comment or a share that we are not relevant. Wrong. We all have an audience, we all have value to someone, even if it is just that one person, the most important customer of all. Ourselves.
To keep more people in the natural growth mindset we are born with we need to change the conditioning to positive, open and limitless.
To fear failure is to fear growth.
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How To Develop Authentic Leadership? – Waking Giants
What does it mean to be an authentic leader?
These are questions that many people ask, but there is no one clear answer. Some people might say that authenticity is about being yourself, while others might say it’s about living your values. Ultimately, what matters most is how you define authenticity and what you do to become a more authentic leader.
Defining authentic leadership
There are many different leadership styles, and no single style is perfect for every situation. In recent years, authentic leadership has become popular, especially in workplaces that value creativity and collaboration. But what exactly is authentic leadership?
At its core, authentic leadership is about being true to yourself and your values. It’s about leading with integrity and authenticity and inspiring others to do the same. This type of leader is confident and grounded in their beliefs and not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Authentic leaders also have a deep understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, which helps them be more self-aware and humble.
As a result, they can build trust quickly and are often seen as highly effective leaders.
The benefits of authentic leadership
There are many benefits to authentic leadership. First, it helps to build trust and credibility with followers. When people feel that their leaders are transparent and honest, they are more likely to trust them and be motivated to work hard.
Second, authentic leadership can help to create a more positive work environment. When employees feel that their leaders are genuine and care about their well-being, they are likelier to be happy and engaged in their work.
Finally, authentic leadership can lead to better decision-making. When leaders are clear about their values and goals, they can better make decisions that align with those objectives. As a result, authentic leadership can provide several advantages for leaders and followers.
How to become an authentic leader
Many people aspire to be leaders, but not all of them are authentic leaders. Authentic leadership is about being honest with yourself and others, having integrity, and being true to your values. It’s also about being open to feedback and willing to grow and learn. You don’t need to be perfect to be an authentic leader, but you do need to be genuine. Here are some tips for becoming an authentic leader:
1. Be self-aware. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself about where you need to improve.
2. Be transparent. Share your vision and goals with your team or group. Communicate openly and frequently.
3. Be accountable. Take responsibility for your actions and accept feedback gracefully.
4. Be compassionate. Empathize with others and treat them with respect.
5. Be humble. Authentic leaders are confident but humble. They know they are not perfect and are always learning.
If you want to be an authentic leader, start by working on becoming more self-aware and transparent. Take accountability for your actions, show compassion for others, and stay humble.
Examples of authentic leaders
Bill George, a Harvard Business School professor, is considered one of the leading experts on authentic leadership. He has written extensively on the topic, and he has identified several leaders who exemplify the qualities of an authentic leader.
For example, Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, was known for his strong vision and ability to build loyalty among his employees. Another example is Howard Schultz, the founder, and CEO of Starbucks. Schultz is known for his commitment to social responsibility and creating a company culture that values customer service and employee satisfaction. Authentic leaders are not afraid to be themselves and can inspire trust and respect in those around them.
The future of authentic leadership
Authentic leadership is a relatively new concept that is gaining traction in the business world. Authentic leaders are those who are their true selves in all interactions, both personal and professional. They are transparent and honest and build trust by acting with integrity. Authentic leaders are also confident and decisive and have a clear vision for their organizations.
Authentic leadership will become even more critical as the world becomes increasingly globalized and interconnected. These leaders can build bridges between cultures and communicate effectively across borders. In an increasingly complex world, businesses need leaders who can navigate these challenges confidently and clearly.
Authentic leadership is the future of successful companies.
Summary:
There’s no single answer to the question of what it means to be an authentic leader.
Some people might say that authenticity is about being yourself, while others might say it’s about living your values. Ultimately, what matters most is how you define authenticity and what you do to become a more authentic leader.
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Strategic Business Planning – The OGSM Way
Initiating effective strategic planning sessions in your business can help strip away the overwhelm that often sets in due to business complexity, and thankfully there is a wide range of strategic business planning frameworks available to help us through this process.
Ensuring you choose the most suitable planning structure for you, your team, and your business is extremely important.
Although the vast majority of these tools all aim to support your business in successful planning and execution, if it’s not the right fit, it won’t take you, your team, or your business anywhere.
Yogi Berra, a professional baseball catcher who later became a coach and manager, once said,
“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else.”
To which I’ll add,
“Knowing where you are going and using the proper means to get there surely creates a difference.”
Over the last few decades, we’ve been pushed to achieve our goals faster and faster while performing them efficiently and effectively.
We’ve come across numerous business strategy planning models over the years, some good, some complete rubbish.
While I’d never suggest a cookie-cutter approach to any business strategic planning, there are some models that are great frameworks to work with, such as OGSM.
OGSM, which stands for Objectives – Goals – Strategies – Measures, is a great tool for successfully performing strategic planning in your business.
The OGSM Framework is a powerful strategic tool that was developed in the 1950s by Japanese car manufacturers. It provides a clear and compact structure linking big picture strategic elements such as company mission, vision, and values with the operational elements like goals, strategies, initiatives, and measures (the Key Performance Indicators).
The OGSM model gives way to a comprehensive and actionable strategic plan which can be used in prioritizing, developing, aligning, and implementing long-term strategies. The four elements of the OGSM model ensure that concrete and measurable goals are set to achieve from the implementation of its strategy.
1. Objective: The image of future success
“Where are we going?”
The objective sets the direction to where your company must go for the next three to five years. It is connected to your overall purpose that aims to answer the question, “What are we trying to achieve?”
Also, the objective statement should align with your already created vision and mission. As opposed to the former two statements, the objective is much clearer, specific, time-bound, and tailored to your business. It will function as a meaningful reminder and motivator to everyone in your company of the image of future success.
2. Goals: The quantifiers to future success
What will it look like when we get there?
The objective, when streamlined and made more attainable, gives rise to goals. They are also strategic and measurable targets that are often financial and operational. It drives you to answer, “What must we accomplish financially?”
Your goals must be formulated using an approach that allows simple monitoring and tracking of progress. Goals are the numbers that describe the image of success in three to five years.
3. Strategies: The way to realize future success
How are we going to get there?
Strategies are your clear action items directed to attain each goal and the overall objective based on your available resources and timeline. They are often applied through initiatives or structured work plans.
Strategies are your means to bring realization and achievement to your company goals on your way to success.
4. Measures: Progress assessments to measure future success
How will we know we’re on track?
Measures are the well-defined and quantifiable metrics that enable you to evaluate your company’s progress and performance on the strategy. It places a benchmark on your status quo versus your desired outcome in three to five years.
It is advisable to have a maximum of three well-defined measures per strategy. This will allow you to thoroughly track your company’s progress in achieving its desired impact while making essential adjustments along the way.
The OGSM model may be applied to the following:
- Companies without a formal strategic framework
- Firms that have experienced rapid growth or rapid decline
- Organizations that involve mergers and acquisitions
- Any company that strives to attain their financial, operational, or technological goals
What are the benefits of using this tool?
- It is clear and concise for effective tracking of goals and progress
- Goals are defined and are directly linked to strategies and business activities
- Goals are created based on realistic expectations
- The OGSM model promotes long-term planning (3-5 years)
- Encourages the stakeholders’ participation through communication and information dissemination that facilitates effective development and alignment of the 4 components
- Performance of strategies is assured as it is bound by the metrics and timelines
- The general structure and approach are easy to convey among team members
What are the challenges in using this tool?
- Leaders must be proactive to ensure its implementation
- t may take time to discuss and evaluate the O-G-S-M
- Quick response and attention are needed to adapt to the shifting environmental situations
The OGSM model is a staple to small and medium companies even large corporations like Procter & Gamble who popularized the OGSM model back in the 1980s to align their direction worldwide.
The OGSM framework is a simple yet effective way to create a united and effective organization by aligning everyone in the team. It allows you to know what everyone is doing, why they are doing it, how they can check their progress, and if there are tweaks needed to be made along the way.
References:
ArchPoint Consulting. (n.d.) 6 Popular strategic planning frameworks. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.myogsm.com/6-popular-strategic-planning-frameworks/
Berra, Yogi. (n.d.). Forbes Quotes. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/quotes/10405/
Kaplan, Soren. (2020, April 4). Want a High-Performing Team? Try the OGSM Model. Inc. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/soren-kaplan/want-a-high-performing-team-try-ogsm-model.html
Janse, B. (2019). OGSM Framework. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.toolshero.com/strategy/ogsm-framework/
MindTools. (n.d.). OGSM Frameworks. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/ogsm-frameworks.htm#:~:text=OGSM%20is%20a%20business%2Dplanning,term%20goals%2C%20actions%20and%20measures.&text=It%20is%20believed%20to%20have,idea%20of%20Management%20by%20Objectives%20.
Rangel, Pedro. (2019, December 14). What is OGSM. LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-ogsm-pedro-rangel
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Why Leadership Is So Important? – Waking Giants
Whether you realise it or not, and quite naturally when groups of people form, there will be someone who will stand out and look to lead the group forward.
Both in business and in the community the importance of leadership cannot be underestimated as it is essential to provide guidance towards a goal.
Take for example a group of people who want to cross a river and all jump in and hope for the best. Now consider if two of those people can’t swim, one is scared of water and the rest are strong swimmers. Then the river rises, and someone gets into trouble?
With all of those variables, there is every chance that someone will drown and not everyone will reach the other side. But, what if one of the strong swimmers realises the situation and starts to create a plan?
For instance, matching up the strong swimmers with the weaker, sending over a couple of stronger swimmers to test the water, and watching the others cross… all show leadership to meet the goal of reaching the other side.
Leadership is important in all situations when a common goal has to be reached when there are multiple parties involved. When you take all of the strengths and weaknesses, the personality types and needs, the leader’s role is to use their skills of negotiation, understanding, questioning, and planning to ensure all parties feel part of the process and are clear about how they work together in spite of their individual needs.
Anyone can be a leader at any time from school kids in the playground planning a soccer match to a team leader managing a project from start to completion. The importance comes from those involved having a central figure or figures to check progress against and to seek guidance and support as the circumstances move forward.
If we understand the role of the leader, it is also important to understand what they actually do in that role. While not a definitive list, as the role of a leader changes in each situation, the demands of a leader can include some of the following:
- A leader will initiate action, it’s in the name really. Humans are pre-disposed to follow, so a leader will by definition show the group where the starting point is.
- Provide motivation. Think about the not-so-confident swimmers trying to cross the river. A leader will seek to understand their fears and develop language and processes to support them across the water, especially when there is a sense of the unknown and potentially fear.
- A leader’s role when strong will primarily be about providing guidance, not orders or tasks, but providing a framework to operate within so that individuals can learn and grow.
- Great leaders both provide and share confidence. As humans, our greatest fear is that of fear itself. Leaders that show the way and step into discomfort can provide the opportunity for others to step outside their boundaries and grow. But more than that having awareness in their actions and language in their interactions will build confidence in those that they lead.
- Morale is one of the critical roles of any leader to be aware of. Creating an environment that under any circumstance will provide support for the team when times are tough, but also when goals are being hit. This can be a pat on the back from completing an essential task to compensation-based rewards on living values.
- A leader’s actions will determine the success of any group of people. The space in which you spend together, the language you use to communicate, the physical interaction. Every interaction should be considered important in creating a strong and robust culture.
- Vision. Once again it’s in the word, leaders lead towards a collective goal that is in the best interests of all of those involved. This means providing a goal that people can be part of, a structure of how they will get you there, and what the result will be if the process is followed.
One of the most important roles of being a great leader is to put yourself in the shoes of others through awareness and listening. Through those two key skills, you will be able to create a team that will support and help you deliver a vision.
Keep in mind there are differences between a manager and a leader, the main one being that a manager manages the process and a leader guides people towards something more than themselves. The lines between leadership and management can appear blurred at times so it’s important to be aware of the two different roles and what they entail.
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