If you think your boss is some freak of nature and you are the luckiest person alive, it's time to rethink. He or she can most likely be the kind of leader who demonstrates best-in-class behaviours identified in the research of those leading the most profitable companies on the planet.
They are often referred to as servant leaders, conscious leaders, authentic leaders, or transformational leaders. Whatever you call them, one thing is for sure: Their helm releases discretionary efforts across an organization. And that’s good for business.
The secret comes down to three words: people over profit. And when that happens, companies will actually make more profit.
While there are countless practices that lead to great outcomes, an article in themuse.com narrows down to a few of them.
* If you are looking forward to go to work on Monday then you are probably experiencing joy. It’s the feeling you get in a highly collaborative environment where people respect one another, where there’s real teamwork among colleagues who encourage each other, where co-workers share the same values, and where there’s constant synergy in the air.
Good leaders create the environment for this to happen.
* Employers have a competitive edge when they can give their people access to customers, so they can see firsthand the human impact their work makes.
This is about having work that brings with it meaning every day. When employees feel they are making a difference in the world through the work they do- whether they’re designing apps or laying down asphalt, it increases their motivation to perform.
* Developing people is a goal of leadership in and of itself. It’s a way of being. Great leaders identify their employees' gifts, talents, strengths and personality types so they can reach their potential.
The champion within the organisation provides training, coaching and mentoring opportunities that're aligned with job purpose, performance measures and fulfilling the organisational mission.
* Good leaders are open and transparent in how they communicate.
A clear example of this practice is modeled by Melissa Reiff, the CEO of The Container Store, which is ranked number 49 on Fortune’s annual list of '100 Best Companies to Work For.'
Reiff personally crafted the organisational principle of 'Communication is Leadership,' which is defined as the 'daily execution of practicing consistent, reliable, predictable, effective, thoughtful, compassionate, and yes, even courteous, communication.'
