Kier Starmer is trying to lead the country, whilst the Conservatives are electing a leader to unite their fractured membership. Meanwhile, in America, Donald and Kamala are fighting for the right to lead their divided country.
In all these cases, the leader’s responsibility is to bring together a disparate group of people, unite them with common goals, and so create a powerful force.
As a manager or business owner, do watch how the political leaders go about their business, and reflect whether you can learn any do’s or don’ts from them.As a starter for 10, here are some statements I got from a LinkedIn post – have a read and see if any resonate with you.
1. If your team is failing – look in the mirror, you’re the problem.
2. If you can’t handle criticism, you’re not fit to lead.
3. Your title makes you a manager, your people make you a leader. Don’t confuse the two.
4. Don’t preach teamwork, and then play favourites. Hypocrisy kills culture.
5. Stop micromanaging! If you don’t trust your team, why should they trust you?
6. If you’re not developing your team, you’re diminishing them. Step up, or step aside.
7. If your team is afraid to speak up, you’ve already failed as a leader.
8. If you’re not accountable, you’re not credible. Own your mistakes.
9. Don’t just set the pace, set the standards! Excellence is contagious.
10. Your team doesn’t work for you – you work for them.
11. If your actions are not inspiring, your words can’t be. Lead by example.
12. A leader takes the blame, and shares the fame. No exceptions.
Food for thought? With you in charge, is your team ‘in the lead’, or being ‘lead astray’?
julian@julianberry.co.uk
