Over the last several years, we read more and more about leadership and the various techniques for being a better one.

I myself have written several articles on this subject. Just as well I suppose if I’m going to have any credence as a Leadership Advisor.

But, the more I think about the subject and practice of leadership the more I have come to realize that being a good leader is less about the science and more about the art.

So many articles and webinars deal with the science and theory of leadership. I would suggest it’s less about the theory and the techniques and the numerous matrix we see and get exposed to by leadership gurus. It is more about the art, which is the practice of dealing with people. Because unless we build, respect and nurture relationships, we cannot possibly be effective leaders.

Leaders, once they become one, feel they have to set the example and demonstrate that they have all the answers and wish to exert their power. They feel that making mistakes or not having all the answers are signs of failure because by suddenly becoming a leader they believe, or have to show, they know everything. Even worse, because they now are leaders, they don’t wish to hear anything that contravenes their views of what should be done. These are the first signs of an autocrat, not a leader.

To be an effective leader we first need to change our perspective of what leadership really is and then work out how we can build relationships around us. Building effective relationships are the cornerstone and foundation of effective leadership. But they must be built on empathy and be authentic.

During my career, I have only come across a handful of leaders that understood the power of building relationships instead of using the so-called power they felt vested in their position.

Hiring the right people has become a huge issue, and in particular hiring people for the right culture. Leadership sets that culture and if the leaders build the wrong culture they lose on two counts, they can’t hire who they want and the people they need, leave.

Generation z and y in the workforce need to be handled differently. Yes they are still people and their views are different from the traditional ways of running companies. Hierarchy and power mean nothing to them and in fact, the use of them results in them rebelling and subsequently leaving.

Building relationships needs two secret ingredients – trust and respect. No healthy relationship can exist without these. That means being empathetic, listening, prodding and probing and motivating. Effective leadership is allowing true interaction within teams, facilitating and allowing the best ideas to surface and be owned and committed too.

As the famous basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski said : Almost everything in leadership comes back to relationships”.

Peter M. Beaumont is the Founder and Principal of ConnXN Consulting and is a Leadership Advisor and Fractional COO to Business Owners and Leadership Teams as well as part of Success Authorities. He is also the author of The Relationship Roadmap, a comprehensive guide to building relationships with strategic clients.

 

 

Photo by Charles Forerunner on Unsplash