Leaders with humanity can make us move mountains!

It is the dream of every manager or leader to get a highly motivated set of associates who are willing to put in 'discretionary effort' for their organization - above and beyond what is expected from them. This highly coveted 'discretionary effort' is often a part of Organization Health Surveys or Pulse checks in organizations. 

As I went through my own corporate journey and as I continue to observe in my Leadership Coaching experience, I have noticed that there are some leaders who really inspire their teams to go well beyond, to rise to the needs of the organization, and deliver such performance at a sustained level. And here is the key - the team members are motivated to do so without questioning what they will get in return! I have recently been working with one such team and I was amazed to see what they are able to pull off with a smile, day after day, week after week, quarter after quarter!

So, I was intrigued to discover what really pulls apart the leaders for whom we are willing to put in extraordinary effort without any doubts or questions.

1. Authentic Leadership: First and foremost, we can notice a clear thread of genuine, honest leadership. No façade, that is polite and supportive one day, and aggressive and disrespectful the next. These leaders are true to their word in multiple and diverse situations, and are willing to admit their mistakes and shortcomings because they don't need to pretend to have all the answers. I have had the good fortune of working with several successful leaders, but not all managed to cross the high bar of authenticity consistently, especially in high-pressure situations.

2. A common sense of Purpose: Secondly, we notice such leaders can provide their teams and all stakeholders with a common sense of Purpose - whether it is a challenging business goal, or a mission to transform the world. As Simon Sinek points out, it is not necessary that each leader has to come up with their own unique Vision, but a leader must be able to help their team connect with a Vision, even if it is borrowed. These leaders are able to paint the picture of their purpose in such an evocative way that we feel moved by it and we feel that it is worth our while to commit to their purpose. They are able to make us see what they see. Their purpose provides a sense of meaning for us.

3. Connect at a deeply human level: Finally, and this is what makes the biggest difference: such leaders are able to connect with us at a deeply human level. Have you noticed that people don't put in 'discretionary effort' for the Brand or the Company that they work for? A great brand or an excellent company can at best get people to be motivated to do a good job. People put in superhuman effort only for other human beings. They identify with a human quality or value that the leader stands for, and demonstrates consistently and effortlessly - because they are not 'trying' - they simply embody that quality. Whether the human quality is respect, compassion or joy, such leaders live by these values day in and day out. And we are inspired by such leaders because we see a reflection of ourselves in them. There is a bit of our own human essence that shines brightly through them. This is the human bond that makes us feel that the work that we are doing is effortless can because we own it as ours.

So there you have it! Authenticity, a common sense of Purpose, and a deeply Human connection with the leader form a powerful combination that can make us move mountains, and not even feel like we have done something so extraordinary!

What qualities in a Leader have made you go above and beyond?

#leadingwithpurpose

#leadingwithauthenticity

#leadingwithhumanity

#leadershipcoaching

#coachinglife

#lifecoaching

Photo by Rohit Tandon on Unsplash

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The author, Anuj Chadha, is a Leadership Coach, Founder of Three Circles, Faculty & Coach with Leadership Et' Humanite, and an Associate Coach with Center for Creative Leadership.  

At Three Circles, we build a deep understanding of what it takes to navigate the challenges that life throws at us. We partner with our clients, listen to their life & career aspirations, and support them to break through the obstacles that seem to be holding them back. Life is too precious to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled. Partner with us as you re-imagine and re-create the Life that you Love!