A Journey of Influence and Transformation
Are leaders always obnoxious, difficult, and nasty? Are entrepreneurs only self-serving? Is leadership only driven by performance metrics and always task oriented? These are some common myths that you face when you talk to people and questions that I encounter in my leadership sessions.
I have often wondered, how leaders can create a positive impact in the work that they do!
Let us understand what it means to be a positive impact leader
Positive impact leadership is not just a title, but a pledge to nurture positive change at every level. No matter what stage of leadership you’re at, positive impact leadership can guide your journey towards greater fulfillment. It creates value that spreads beyond the bottom line. An impactful leader enables people to reach their full potential by fostering collaboration and innovation. Be it cultivating a culture of engagement and inclusivity within an organization or backing sustainability initiatives, the possibilities are unlimited. It can involve spearheading initiatives to enhance employee satisfaction, expanding influence and championing causes which echo their values.
The journey toward positive impact leadership is one of continuous learning and requires a willingness to embrace new challenges, develop essential skills, and adapt to changing circumstances. Even if the journey is different for each person, the outcome is the same – that is a purposeful, lasting impact on people and environment.
Making this happen is the job of the leader and here are some qualities to develop to become a positive impactful leader:
Pull, not Push
Impact leaders are solutions oriented. They have people and values at their core. They believe in pulling people together and not pushing them…and this makes a huge difference in attitude. They value people and consider their thoughts and ideas. This helps create an environment that helps people thrive and bring out the best in them.
Purpose and Empathy
Impactful leaders are grounded and are not arrogant. They lead from values and a sense of purpose – transcending to meaning in life and fulfillment in work. Retention, efficiency, engagement, teamwork, and innovation automatically take precedence in such an environment. With empathy, people also feel a sense of belongingness.
Thinking Big
Impact leaders understand how each action can create a wave. They therefore consider the long-term consequences of their decisions on various stakeholders – be it employees, clients, society, and even the environment. This holistic outlook helps them traverse complexity with precision.
‘Out of the Box’ thinking
At the heart of positive impact leadership lies the ability to think outside the box and focus on problem solving. It enables leaders to identify opportunities for positive change and develop creative tactics to make them happen. An innovative culture helps positive impact leaders drive constant development and stay ahead of the pack.
Social Skills
Effective communication, empathy, and relationship-building are vital components of positive impact leadership. Strong interpersonal relationships help positive impact leaders cultivate a culture of respect, trust, and shared support within their teams and lay the base for collective impact.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
You don’t have to be an entrepreneur to be a leader, and corporate leaders can also have an entrepreneurial mindset and make a difference. Positive impact leaders have a spirit of entrepreneurship and grasp opportunities by taking calculated risks and driving change with passion. Uncertainty is embraced by them as a facilitator for innovation, flexibility, and development. They are willing to challenge the status quo in pursuit of their vision.
Inclusiveness
Positive impact leaders understand the value of inclusion as drivers of creativity, innovation, and resilience. They seek out and augment voices from marginalized groups and create space for dialogue and collaboration. They are champions of equity and justice in all facets of their leadership. They can connect the shared wisdom and energy of their teams to address multifaceted challenges and drive meaningful change that aids all by cultivating inclusiveness.
Spiritual and Emotional Intelligence
I have spoken enough about the need for Emotional Intelligence in Leaders. Do read my blogs. However, with Spiritual Intelligence, a leader can be in the moment, be aware of the situations around them, read their energies and make the right decisions. Robin Uthappa, a well-known cricketer, in a recent interview spoke about how, one of India’s greatest cricket captains ever and a great leader, M.S. Dhoni possessed this quality where he could make decisions based on a calm presence and being in the here & now.
I do believe M.S Dhoni has demonstrated many of the qualities listed above and is a great champion.
In summary, in today’s fast evolving business world, leadership goes way beyond traditional success metrics. It is no longer only about profit margins, but also about the community, sustainable practices, and personal development. Be it a startup or an MNC, ‘positive impact’ has become a phrase that is on everyone’s agenda. Positive impact leadership has the potential to create a course towards a positive and sustainable future—for us and the world at large.
