In her book Dare to Lead, Brene Brown writes that “Daring leaders are never silent about hard things.” Highly-effective leadership requires engaging with really challenging situations, and it means making tough decisions for the betterment of the organization. A leader who leads with purpose understands the importance of making these decisions even if some or all people don’t agree with it. Here are five ways of leading with purpose:
- Values: Highly-effective leaders place their core values at the center of everything they do each day. When the values become the guiding focus of their work, other decisions become easier and more clear. The challenge for some leaders is they don’t know their values, or they know them, but they get lost with everything else. How consistently do you lead with your core values?
- People: Great leaders know that the people they lead are the center of everything they do. These leaders understand that their sole job is to support and serve the people they lead while also achieving results for the organization. These leaders never lose sight of supporting the people even with other initiatives that need attention. How consistently do you serve others as the leader?
- Saying No: The most successful leaders spend significant time saying no. They say no especially when they believe the initiative or idea doesn’t align with their values or where the organization is going. Even though saying no can be challenging, they’re not afraid to make some people upset because they know in the long-term it will be a better option for the people. How willing are you to say no to certain things?
- Direct Communication: Leaders who keep purpose at the forefront are outstanding and direct communicators. They consistently provide feedback, share their ideas, and speak their truths. Many of these leaders especially speak their truths when the stakes are high and large decisions are on the line. Although their communication is direct, many find it refreshing as it’s more honest and upfront than how the average person communicates. How directly and honestly do you communicate with people?
- Take Action: One of the most important aspects of leading with purpose is taking relentless action. Leaders who identify issues, develop a plan, and take action create trust and connection with their people. Following through on action and getting results is a main goal even if the action is challenging or around difficult issues. How consistently do you follow through with action?
Highly-effective leaders embody what it means to lead with purpose, values, and action. They understand the importance of doing difficult things for the benefit of the people they serve. Their relentless action and direct communication create the foundation for getting the results they’re looking for during the process.
How consistently do you lead with purpose and values?