Good leaders are hungry. Hungry for growth. Hungry for success. Good leaders are humble. They know they’ve got room to grow. They know their success is connected to the success of their team. They know their network of mentors, coaches, and peers have helped them grow and expand their business. Good leaders are also human, which may be the part that gets overlooked the most.
Leadership isn’t something we turn on when we walk into the office or step onto a stage to speak at a conference. It shows up in how we treat people, how we respond when things don’t go according to plan, how willing we are to keep learning, and how we choose to use whatever success we create. It isn’t regulated to the boardroom or the office. It’s who we are every day – in the supermarket, in the office, in our interactions with our neighbors and our co-workers. The human part is the glue that holds it all together.
Let’s get something straight right off the bat. Good leadership – the sort that is hungry, humble, and human – doesn’t pretend everything is perfect. It doesn’t seek quick fixes, empty motivation, or success at any cost. This sort of leader seeks meaningful growth.
They recognize the value of leadership with heart. They set their sights on profits with purpose and aim to cultivate real relationships. They approach life and business with curiosity. They seek out community. They recognize the value of clarity before confidence. They give first, sharing always and lifting as they climb. And they strive to become more of who they are without sacrificing themselves to get there.
Sure, profits are profits. You can argue that your job as a leader is to increase revenue and you’ll do whatever it takes to get there. That’s a strategy. Meaningful growth, however, is different. Meaningful growth balances sustainable growth with core values, strong company culture, and community impact. It says that making money without sacrificing personal morals matters. It’s keeping the human part intact. You can be hungry and you can be humble. You can turn a profit and invest in your team and your community. Fiscal success does not require ruthlessness.
Happy employees who feel heard and appreciated are more productive employees. Employee satisfaction yields better business outcomes, higher employee retention, and improved client satisfaction. Compassionate leadership yields increased employee satisfaction. Empathetic leaders who encourage and mentor can yield better outcomes than who that practice command and control management tactics. Hungry, Humble, Human leadership isn’t just a personal mantra. It’s also remembering that your team is human.
Small steps can make big waves. Profits with purpose aren’t necessarily about the photo op with a big check sporting a lot of zeros. It’s about incorporating a culture of community support that ripples through your day to day. It may be donating a portion of your profits, sure. It could also be about electing to incorporate green manufacturing practices or utilizing environmentally friendly packaging.
It could be establishing a mentoring program that connects your employees with kids in the local school district. It may be giving your team time off to volunteer. Whatever form it takes, the premise is the same. Revenues aren’t just about making more money for the deepest pockets. It’s about supporting your team and your community.
Hungry, Humble, Human leaders know that other humans matter. More importantly, it’s knowing that cultivating relationships with other humans matters, from peer networks to personal mentors to the people that work for us. It’s getting to know the person behind the position. It’s seeing the whole them – including the person they are when the work computer powers down and home life begins.
It’s recognizing how they’re growing and where they may need to grow still. It’s helping them build confidence in their own abilities and curiosity to grow. It’s building trust. It’s giving (and getting!) support. Sometimes it’s just sharing a laugh and a good cup of coffee. It’s core to success in business and in life.
Adapting our understanding of leadership can take some practice. If you’re not sure how to incorporate these principles into your leadership style, it might be time to seek out a conversation with a coach who can help you develop a leadership growth plan.
Let’s schedule a conversation to get the process started. Click here to learn how our coaching services can help you and to schedule a time to chat: Cheryl Marks Young.
(908) 345-0382