“What kind of a leader are you?”
If you were asked this question, what would you say?
At this exact moment, you might stop in your tracks, pondering a reply. Can you pinpoint the type of leader you are, or what type of leader others would describe you as?
Many of us aren’t aware of the style that we use when we lead. In fact, we don’t even think about it. I know that was true for me until I was asked what kind of leader I thought I was as part of a University course. I was stumped. I honestly couldn’t pick a “type” of style, and in fact, I needed more information before I could even respond. What’s the situation? Who are the people? What’s my role (with that group)? Even then, I responded with, “Well, it all depends…” Bingo. My default style identified as Situational Leader. That did not get me off the hook from learning about other styles and knowing when and how to apply them.
Do we really need to have a leadership style? Do we really need to stick to that style, no matter the people, situation, and problems we encounter? Definitely not! A great leader will adapt their style to each person and individual circumstance, to help those involved to reach a common goal, efficiently and effectively.
“The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.” Padmasree Warrior, Source: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/764022
Last week, we talked about Servant and Transformational Leadership Styles. If you’d like to read Part 1, please click HERE: . This week, we will learn more about the Strategic and Cross-Cultural Leadership Styles.
Strategic Leaders influence other people to think and plan before making calculated decisions that will affect the overall performance of the group. These leaders encourage themselves and the people around them to innovate and design solutions that might be viewed as “outside of the box.”
Leaders who recognize the importance of strategizing have these characteristics: they are forward thinkers, are open to questions, make calculated decisions, and continuously look for opportunities to improve. (https://study.com/academy/lesson/strategic-leadership-definition-characteristics-examples.html)
“We need leaders who can meet and adapt to new challenges, build strategic partnerships, build and sustain human capital organizations, and have the courage to act and react to the challenges.” Thomas Narofsky, F(X) Leadership Unleashed! (https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/27666208-f-x-leadership-unleashed)
When facing problems, it is important for us to strive constantly, to look for the best strategies, and to try different approaches. Sometimes, we are so used to the standard routine, the status quo, because it simply “works.”
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” John F. Kennedy https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/leadership
We forget that there may be a dozen better ways to do the tasks that we need to do, if only we stop and look for other opportunities, like Strategic Leaders do. Think about ways you can practice taking on the role of a Strategic Leader. When an opportunity presents itself, embrace the role and watch how others respond to your leadership.
Cross-Cultural Leadership is quite different in that it emphasizes the importance of the ability to lead amidst diversity. In this day and age, leaders must have the capacity and the potential to be able to guide their group with a multitude of people.
The more people that the leader is responsible for, the more diversified the group will be. It should be expected that every person in the group has different likes, comes from different cultures (think: family, community, faith, and organizations) and traditions, made up of many races. In short, we all view the world through our unique lenses. It only makes sense that the larger the group, the more diverse the number and types of “lenses” in play.
“…leaders also need to be more attentive and adaptive not merely to the skills brought by diverse creative workers but their different beliefs, intelligences, and ways of working.” Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/berlinschoolofcreativeleadership/2014/09/28/the-other-cross-cultural-leadership-means-creative-collaboration/#635166ac35ac)
Cross-Cultural Leaders should be open-minded, sensitive, and willing to learn about people as individuals.
It’s important to remember that there should always be a balance amidst differences. Leaders need to make an effort to foster an environment where people are respected, well-treated, and given equal opportunities to do their work and share ideas without judgment.
“Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.” Robert Alan (American writer, artist and social activist; 1922-1978)
We often view leaders as the sole provider of strength, ideas, and solutions. However, this is not the case. Leaders are there to “lead.” They cannot exist without other people.
Great leaders oversee, but they also work. Leaders provide guidance, but they also need to be guided. Leaders are often looked up to, but they also respect others. These are some reasons that good leaders become great leaders!
Strategic Leaders inspire us to embark on a journey that may not be the typical path. We may find ourselves in a much better place if only we trust and follow a strategic leader who has proven themselves worthy of that trust.
Cross-Cultural Leaders make us reflect on our actions, to consider our own implicit and explicit biases, and how those show up in our conclusions and decisions. They help us think more globally and adapt to changing conditions that reflect the needs of those being led.
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” Lao Tzu https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/leadership
Over the past two weeks we have covered only four of the many leadership styles. No matter what style you ultimately decide to use, they all require: practicing your leadership skills, being willing to invest in yourself (ongoing learning), treating other people with respect, humility, and acknowledging and lifting up others’ contributions.
In line with this, we encourage you to join our Gratitude Challenge for December! We hope you come back each day, during this final month of the year, to receive your new challenge. There are no guarantees, but we promise that taking two minutes will have you feeling refreshed, in a more positive and grateful mindset. So, let’s get ready to do this!
We are over a week into our challenge, but jump in anytime! Feel free to go back and make up the ones you missed at the next opportunity. Good luck!
P.S. If you don’t have time to join the challenge today, START FRESH in JANUARY! Sign up to receive the challenge from #1 to #31, starting January 1st, 2018. Click here: https://sarahboxx.com/gratitudechallenge/
