Why are leaders important?
I asked this question at a workshop I ran the other day. Asking it because if we’re to give leaders weight, we should understand why we’re doing so. It’s accepted wisdom that leaders are important, yet many organisations are run by people that are good managers but poor leaders. It’s also possible for organisations to operate without a top-down leader, with small acts of leadership and sharing of leadership responsibilities instead. We even know whole countries can be run entirely without leadership and through command and control, which is anything but leadership.
Despite aforementioned anomalies, leadership is important.
Leadership is essential for the success of organisations and communities.
In my workshop most offered that effective leaders establish direction and vision. It’s the thing we commonly, intuitively or implicitly understand about leadership. The best leaders also support, inspire and motivate individuals and teams towards the achievement of goals, growth and positive change. But that’s not all.
Direction and Vision
Effective leaders set the direction for establishing and realising a common goal. Subsequently inspiring and motivating others to contribute to the work. The best leaders establish a sense of purpose in a shared vision. Steve Jobs worked towards a singular vision on his return to Apple, leading and inspiring the company to greater heights – whilst noting too he was perhaps a less supportive leader. Nevertheless he took a struggling company, without inspired vision, to become one of the most valuable companies in the world.
Coordination and Communication
Direction and vision, by extension, requires good coordination and communication. Without coordination and a vision communicated, time is wasted, unnecessary work done and morale ebbs. Sometimes this is a simply a matter of management, more often it requires a leader to build a team unified around and working well towards a single vision. And to do so requires good communication. We need leaders to listen, understand perspectives, assimilating all into a coordinated and unified plan. Uniting a coordinated team effort in realising the vision.
Adaptability
When things are going well, leadership might sometimes take a back seat. In times of change and uncertainty leaders takes on the utmost importance. This is where management often falters. Good leaders that can adapt and make hard decisions, not only help their organisations through difficult times but help them to emerge stronger.
Accountability
Leaders will often need to make hard decisions or choices and embrace risk in order to identify better ways to realise the vision. A strategy that requires taking responsibility and being accountable for their actions and decisions. Leaders understand they’re accountable to their teams for errors, but managers often make themselves less accountable to their teams.
Culture
Although listed last, this is my number one reason why leaders are important. It’s all previous points embodied.
It’s leaders who establish and drive the culture of an organisation. Establishing attitudes, shared values, beliefs, and behaviours that shape how people interact and do their work within the organisation. Doing so by setting an example, through guidance and empowering people to take ownership of the culture.
The culture established defines relationships, the work and how it’s done.
Leaders who foster a sense of community, teamwork, and collaboration among their team, help create a supportive and empowering environment where people can thrive. Helping to develop trust, purpose and a more joyful environment. One in which individuals become the best version of themselves and continue to grow.
There can be no more important reason for the importance of leaders than their driving of the culture
Conclusion
Great leaders can inspire, motivate, and guide their teams towards a shared vision, adapt to change and uncertainty and driving the culture. By investing in leadership development and training programs, organisations will cultivate a culture of leadership. Thereby delivering growth, innovation and positive change.
Picture by Emrah Ayvali [edited]
