Sharpen Up Your Leadership

01st Jul , 2024

Good leadership never goes out of fashion. It is the core strength of any organisation and will remain a prerequisite for business performance into the foreseeable future.

We know that in our rapidly changing competitive business environments, leaders need to be adaptable and flexible. They must be open to disruption in the market and new ideas, and be willing to pivot strategies where necessary to stay competitively ahead – and this is underpinned by great leadership.

We are often asked at International Business Mentors to assist business leaders to enhance their own performance, helping to improve their leadership with business mentoring and coaching.

Leadership is an issue revisited frequently in these business mentoring sessions. Amidst evolving pressures and changing expectations, leadership styles and methods rapidly evolve. Business leaders need to adapt effectively to these leadership changes to better succeed.

A well-matched business mentor or business coach from International Business Mentors will have the necessary experiences in leadership roles and styles to help you drive performance.

Here are several areas where business mentoring can guide leaders in their quest for excellence:

Developing a Clear Vision for the Organisation

Great leaders provide a clear vision with their key people and inspire innovation. They encourage creative thinking and are not afraid to take calculated risks to achieve their goals.

Resilience & Stress Management

Leaders must be resilient and capable of managing stress. They should model how to handle setbacks and challenges positively and constructively.

Engagement

Leaders should be connected to their teams, understand the company’s values, mission and purpose, and know what is expected of them in terms of performance. Regular meetings and constructive feedback are essential for making employees feel valued.

Continuous Learning & Development

Leaders should commit to continuous learning, mentoring and professional development. Staying updated with industry trends and enhancing their skills ensures they remain effective and relevant.

Career Incentives

People respond positively to feeling valued and having opportunities for further development. Identifying and enhancing your team’s talents fosters a win-win situation. Ongoing development also drives innovation, which is critical for success.

Promoting an Environment of Trust & Respect

Create a culture of trust, honesty and respect where everyone’s input is valued. Inclusive culture, procedures and follow-through on promises lead to better decision-making. Follow through consistently by doing what you have said that you will do.

Approachability

An open-door policy is now an expectation among employees. Leaders need to be available and approachable to make their teams feel valued, which is crucial for good performance. Listen, engage, and act on feedback when appropriate.

Inclusivity

Embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment are essential for modern leadership. Diverse teams bring varied perspectives and ideas, leading to more innovative solutions. Recognise and reward great performance, foster teamwork and keep people informed about what is going on. Offering rewards when appropriate helps maintain high performance and loyalty and is critical for talent retention.

Leading By Example

“The fish rots from the head” – in other words, good leadership and a strong corporate culture start at the top. Leaders need to develop and live by the rules that support the desired culture. Avoid the trap of “do as I say, not as I do.”

Considering Strategy

Effective communication with your people to drive strategic alignment is essential. Clear purpose and alignment with strategy will provide guidance on what is expected.

Overall Wellbeing

Show interest not only in your team’s business acumen and performance, but also in their overall wellbeing.

Getting Active

There is a significant relationship between physical fitness and cognitive function, which rejuvenates brain cells (and can even defend against brain disorders). Leaders should incorporate physical activity into their daily routines for better health, decision-making and productivity.

These are just some of the areas where a business mentor or business coach can assist leaders in providing better leadership, enhancing both their performance and that of their people.

The Next Steps

Whether you’re interested in business mentoring, business coaching or executive coaching, International Business Mentors can connect you with outstanding business leaders who have achieved extraordinary things. They’re among the best to assist today’s business leaders in meeting the challenges of being great leaders.

Call us today to discuss how one of our business mentors or coaches can help you improve your leadership skills.