As things become more uncertain I am noticing there is a greater need for positive leadership in the business world. The World War II leader Viscount General Slim once said that discipline means that every person knows who to turn to for further direction when things pass beyond their own authority or initiative. I believe that Slim had that a little wrong. I think that is a perfect definition of leadership– military, political, social, religious or business. In this recession the right kind of leadership means that people turn for that guidance confident that they will get sensible and effective direction.. And that leadership is based on three pillars:
· Spiritual The first pillar because in times of stress and uncertainty only spiritual foundations can cope with real strain. And here spiritual is not necessarily meant in the religious sense but as a belief in a cause or outcome.
· Intellectual. Because people are motivated by reason as well as feeling. This is the logical, sensible part of running the business. Decisions and actions have to be seen to be based on common-sense and sound business principles.
· Material. People must be given the best equipment and conditions available. And available includes affordable-the best the company can afford. Often, the equipment and conditions supplied to the workforce are a direct reflection of how much the business leaders value their employees.
Taking each of these pillars in turn in order to have a spiritual foundation the business must have a greater cause or mission. One of greater and wider appeal than merely increasing shareholder value. People must feel that what they are doing is important and that their contribution is vital. That is often straightforward in a business that is meeting a customer’s needs. Trickier though in those companies that satisfy a customer’s wants. A useful exercise is to ask what customer need is that want meeting. Is it to increase their sense of worth? To communicate a particular message they need to send? To be more efficient through a need for a better work/life balance? By looking at your customers’ requirements at a high level it is possible to find the need your business is satisfying.
People do not like working for a lost cause. The aim or mission of the business then must be achievable. People must also see that the organisation they are serving is an efficient one; that there efforts are not being wasted or squandered. Employees must have confidence in their business leaders. That no matter how tough things become, their leaders are working hard to keep the business moving and that solutions can and will be found. To achieve that, leaders must know what they are talking about and, more importantly, they must believe it themselves.
A business can have lofty and ideal values and beliefs but if they are not demonstrated in everyday actions they become meaningless and devalued. The provision of a safe, non-threatening working environment is a matter of law. The amount and quality of equipment and conditions over and above the legal requirement is a matter of choice. The leader’s choice. There is a little point in valuing your employees if there is no tangible evidence of that value in the workplace.
So, how are you currently supporting your employees? While it is true that some people come to work purely for the money, most come for a sense of identity themselves, for companionship, for a sense of belonging and to contribute to something greater than themselves. By actively paying attention to these 3 pillars you, as a business leader, are investing energy and commitment in your people. And you can expect the same in return.
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