Introduction
Within the domain of conscious and regenerative leadership, recognising one's genuine authority emerges as a fundamental principle. It encapsulates the profound understanding that leadership transcends authority and titles, emanating from within individuals who recognise and harness their innate capacity to effect positive change.
In our article The Principles of Conscious & Regenerative Leadership, we unveiled its core principles. In this article, we explore Principle 7, which acknowledges how true power catalyses transformational leadership.
Understanding True Power
True power is reflected in qualities like vision, integrity, empathy, courage, collaboration, and empowerment. Leaders who recognise their true power motivate others to unlock their potential, drive positive transformations, and leave a lasting positive impact.
Embracing Authenticity
At the core of recognising true power lies authenticity. This involves courageously and transparently embracing one's strengths, vulnerabilities, and imperfections. Conscious and regenerative leaders nurture real connections, instilling trust and loyalty among their teams and stakeholders. Remaining true to themselves, they cultivate environments that promote innovation, collaboration, and development.
Empower Others
Conscious and regenerative leaders strive to cultivate the full potential of their team members. By supporting individual growth, they enrich the collective capabilities of the team, thereby benefiting the organisation as a whole.
Employees are keen on opportunities for career progression, making them more receptive to leaders who provide avenues for development. Promoting self-leadership is one effective method to foster employee growth, since employees feel they have the responsibility to handle specific issues, offering the opportunity for assigned employees to acquire new skills or enhance existing ones.
When nurturing team development, it's essential to grant individuals the autonomy to make decisions. While establishing boundaries and guidelines is necessary, empowering employees with greater decision-making authority facilitates their progress and enhances their satisfaction in their roles.
“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
Sheryl Sandberg
Values Responsibilities
A conscious and regenerative leader prioritises the relationships with their team members over their leadership status. To achieve this, leaders should collaborate with their team rather than merely delegating tasks.
Leaders must invest time in understanding each team member individually and establishing personal connections with them. When team members feel valued on a personal level, they are more likely to feel motivated and appreciated for their contributions.
Demonstrating appreciation can be as simple as expressing gratitude or offering words of encouragement when tasks are completed. Additionally, acknowledging exceptional performance, such as praising an employee for their excellent work in a client presentation, fosters a sense of confidence and motivation among employees, encouraging them to excel further in their roles.
Take Responsibility for Their Actions
A conscious and regenerative leader must acknowledge their responsibility for their actions and encourage the same level of accountability from their team members. They should set a high standard of work ethic, serving as a role model for others.
Being accountable involves acknowledging errors and demonstrating professional ways to rectify them. Cultivating an environment that prioritises accountability can enhance performance and foster trust among team members, as it assures everyone that they can depend on each other to fulfil their responsibilities.
Implementing accountability in the workplace can be achieved by offering specific feedback on work that doesn't meet expectations. It's important to address individuals directly and respectfully, guiding them on how to rectify their mistakes. Similarly, acknowledging, and praising improvements made by team members can further motivate them to uphold high standards, especially when they observe the leader setting the same expectations in their work.
Demonstrate Transparency
A conscious and regenerative leader prioritises transparent and candid discussions with their team members. Maintaining honesty fosters trust within the team, fostering mutual respect and a readiness to follow a leader’s guidance.
Employees appreciate feeling valued through regular communication and truthful exchanges. Ensure consistent communication with your team to cultivate an environment conducive to open conversations. Displaying honesty involves sharing pertinent information directly with your team, such as organizational changes and their potential impacts. Additionally, offering feedback and conducting regular check-ins further demonstrates your commitment to transparency and openness.
Practices Active Listening
A conscious and regenerative leader values listening to their employees and welcoming both positive and negative feedback. They provide a safe space for employees to express their thoughts without interruption or criticism.
Effective listening entails making a genuine effort to comprehend and empathise with the perspectives and emotions of others. By openly encouraging questions, concerns, ideas, and suggestions, leaders convey appreciation for their employees and foster a sense of active participation within the team.
During these interactions, maintaining eye contact and asking clarifying questions demonstrates engagement and attentiveness to the speaker's words.
Demonstrates Honesty
A conscious and regenerative leader prioritises open and sincere dialogues with their team members. Upholding honesty fosters a sense of trust within the team, cultivating respect and a readiness to follow your guidance.
Employees feel valued when they perceive that you invest time in communicating with them truthfully. Consistent communication is key to fostering an environment conducive to open discussions.
To demonstrate honesty, ensure that your team receives pertinent information directly. For instance, maintain transparency about any organisational changes and their potential impacts. Additionally, practice honesty in everyday interactions by offering constructive feedback to team members or scheduling regular check-ins whenever feasible.
Empower Others
Acknowledging true power involves empowering others to realise their full potential. Conscious and regenerative leaders foster inclusive cultures where diverse voices are heard, valued, and respected.
They nurture talent, provide mentorship, and create opportunities for growth and development. By fostering a sense of belonging and purpose, they inspire collective action towards shared goals, driving sustainable outcomes for individuals and communities alike.
Foster a Vision
A conscious and regenerative leader embraces a vision, whether personal or aligned with the company's objectives, using it as a catalyst to inspire and motivate their team towards achieving common goals. By transparently sharing this vision with the team, the leader cultivates a collective sense of purpose, offering clarity and motivation to every member.
Conscious and regenerative leaders possess the ability to articulate their vision persuasively, making it relatable to employees and weaving a narrative that enables them to envision the desired outcome.
Consistent communication of the defined vision is crucial, accompanied by illustrating how each team member's role contributes to its realisation. Empowering employees with a clear understanding of their impact fosters a sense of ownership and commitment to the team's success. Establishing project goals aligned with the vision and providing regular feedback and encouragement upon goal achievement further reinforces the team's focus and dedication.
Conclusion
In essence, acknowledging true power is not about asserting control or dominance but rather embracing authenticity, self-awareness, and purpose. It empowers individuals to lead with integrity, compassion, and vision, catalysing transformational change in themselves and the world around them. As we embrace Principle 7 of conscious and regenerative leadership, let us harness our true power to create a future that is ethical, regenerative, talented-based, and thriving for all.
AMARNA Vida stands ready to support leaders in transcending to become conscious and regenerative leaders. Our approach is grounded in the understanding that successful leadership requires a delicate balance between instinctive insights and empirical evidence. We offer tailored advice, programs, and resources designed to cultivate leaders' ability to integrate these dual modes of thinking seamlessly.
Through our programs, mainly the Leaders’ Optimized Performance and Maximized Impact Coaching Program®, in partnership with QLX, leaders gain a deeper understanding of the role that courage plays in decision-making processes.
AMARNA Vida is committed to empowering leaders with the tools, insights, and support they need to thrive in today's complex business environment.
Do you acknowledge your true power? Do you confront uncertainty with bravery?
Do you motivate others to unlock their potential? Do you drive positive transformations? Are you willing to leave a lasting positive impact?
References
Lockwood, B. & Domingues, L. (2023). The Principles of Conscious & Regenerative Leadership. LinkedIn. October 19, 2023.
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