Components to effective leadership
Whether you are already a leader or aspire to become one, leadership is an incredibly important skill that has the power to transform individuals, teams, and organizations. Leadership guides us on the path to achievement, inspires us to dream big, and courageously pursue our goals.
After studying world leaders and drawing from my own experiences, I’ve realized that there are three key components to effective leadership: trust, vision, and decisiveness.
In this blog, I want to delve deeper into these aspects of leadership and discuss how they can be applied in everyday life. Since I’m passionate about the sea and a true fan of movies, I’ll use Captain Jack Aubrey from the film “Master and Commander” as a vivid example to illustrate these aspects of leadership.
Trust is the foundation of a successful leader. It creates a strong bond between the leader and their team, and without trust, there’s no connection between them. Trust is built through consistency, honesty, and transparency in leadership. We’ll explore how Captain Jack Aubrey, the fearless leader from “Master and Commander,” inspires his crew and builds the trust that’s crucial for success on the open sea.
Vision is like a lighthouse that shows the way and guides the team towards a common goal. Imagine a lighthouse on the horizon, guiding ships through stormy seas. Leaders with vision clearly communicate goals and inspire team members to work together towards achieving them. Vision provides direction, motivates, and gives work a sense of purpose.
Decisiveness is a trait that exceptional leaders possess. It sets them apart from average leaders. Making tough decisions, facing challenges, and stepping out of the comfort zone all require decisiveness. Through Captain Jack Aubrey’s story, we’ll demonstrate how his courage and decisiveness in making difficult decisions contributed to his crew’s success despite the challenges they faced on the open sea.
Whether you’re a leader in the business world, sports, or your personal life, it’s important not to overlook these three foundations of leadership if you want to become the best version of yourself and achieve exceptional results.
Trust: Building Bridges
In the realm of leadership, trust serves as a crucial foundation for establishing strong relationships with the team. Picture trust as a bridge that connects leaders and team members. Just as muscles grow stronger through consistent effort, trust is nurtured through consistency, transparency, and keeping one’s promises. It’s important to recognize that trust takes time to build, necessitates continuous upkeep, and can be shattered in an instant, sometimes irreparably. Building trust requires dedication and carries risks, much like any important endeavour. However, despite the uncertainties, trust is worth the hard work, even though success is not guaranteed.
Consistency plays a pivotal role in fostering trust. A leader must determine the principles they will steadfastly uphold, regardless of the circumstances. Once that unwavering decision is made, it eliminates the need for constant deliberation in the face of dilemmas. By acting consistently, the potential for mistakes that undermine trust due to inconsistency is minimized.
While trust primarily develops through long-term efforts, there are also occasions where shortcuts exist, contingent upon recognizing and seizing opportunities to perform acts of heroism. Such moments can swiftly enhance trust within a team.
For instance, imagine Captain Jack Aubrey standing on the deck of his ship amidst a challenging storm. The tempestuous night tested the courage of every sailor, but amid the chaos, Jack knew he had to swiftly and decisively protect his crew. Without hesitation, he scaled the mast to secure the sails personally, averting a potential disaster. Each crew member observed his determination and courage in that dramatic scene. Through the wind and rain, trust spread among the sailors like a calming storm. They realized they had a leader unafraid of confronting challenges, someone who would be there for them during the toughest moments, even at the risk of their own position, to safeguard the entire team.
While such heroic exploits may be rare in the corporate world, I believe everyone can recall at least one situation where they could take charge and lead their team. For example, it could involve protecting colleagues from unwarranted reprimands, or implementing a creative approach to reverse a sales decline, or making a decisive move to secure a vital contract. These instances serve as turning points in the relationship between a leader and their team. From that one “heroic” moment, a leader gains the loyalty and respect of their followers.
Vision: Guiding Light on the Horizon
A leader’s vision is what propels them forward. It’s like a shining star that points us in the right direction and inspires us to dream big. Dreams bigger than ourselves! Many people lack their own vision, so they easily latch onto someone else’s.
A prime example of vision can be seen in today’s startups. Investors pour millions into startups that may not have tangible assets like revenue or property. They invest solely based on the founder’s vision and idea. The employees of these startups also align themselves with the vision and passionately follow the leader’s dreams. When driven by a vision, people work passionately, even going above and beyond, often for less pay, because they believe in future rewards. They walk with pride, unlike their friends who may earn more but lack the same enthusiasm because they work for unimaginative companies.
When you find yourself in a leadership position, having a clear vision and consistently communicating it to your team is crucial. Without a vision, you’ll be just an average team. A leader without a clear vision lacks direction and purpose, leaving their followers uninspired. On the other hand, a vision creates an atmosphere akin to a startup, motivating passionate individuals to give their all. Simon Sinek discusses this in his book “Start with Why.”
A vivid example of vision is when Captain Jack Aubrey stands on the deck of his ship, gazing at the vast open sea ahead. Despite the peril posed by enemy ships and storms, Jack remains focused on his vision – discovering uncharted lands and expanding territories for the King.
In that moment, Jack shares his vision with the crew, outlining their future goals and the wonders that await them. He speaks of the opportunities and challenges they’ll face on their journey, highlighting the value and significance of each obstacle to be overcome. His words brim with passion, enthusiasm, and an unwavering belief in their ability to achieve remarkable things together.
As Jack shares his vision, we witness the crew becoming inspired and energized. Each sailor realizes they are part of something greater than themselves, embarking on an adventure that will shape their future. This vision gives them purpose and the motivation to confront any challenge that comes their way.
Don’t assume that a vision has to be grand, reserved only for captains, CEOs, or presidents. Every team leader can have a vision, regardless of their position in the company’s hierarchy. For example, the vision of a team of delivery truck drivers could be ensuring no one suffers a collision-related injury next year. Or the vision of a sales team could be to be recognized as the team that consistently surpasses performance targets and pipeline future directors.
Remember, many people lack vision or simply don’t think about it. That’s why they need someone who can fill that unconscious void with their vision, which they can embrace in the absence of their own. It’s crucial to clearly communicate the vision and ensure it aligns with the team’s interests and goals.
Decisiveness in Decision Making: Navigating Stormy Seas
Leaders often face tough decisions, much like a ship’s captain navigating through turbulent waters. Just as a captain must act swiftly and confidently during a storm, leaders must make choices with determination and courage. Decisiveness involves analysing information, assessing risks, and having faith in one’s abilities. Just imagine being on a ship in a storm with a captain who’s scared and uncertain. It’s hard to trust their decisions, right?
One of the biggest mistakes a leader can make is avoiding difficult decisions. Even worse, some leaders avoid making decisions at all. This slows down progress, confuses the team, and undermines the leader’s credibility, making them a subject of mockery. That’s why decision-making is a crucial responsibility of a leader. Every team expects their leader to make tough and unpopular decisions that move things forward.
A powerful scene that highlights the weight of decision-making is when Jack and his crew find themselves in a severe storm. The mast is damaged, crew members are in danger, and the ship is at risk of sinking. Jack makes the tough call to save the ship and the majority of the crew by cutting the ropes that are pulling down the damaged rigging. This decision means sacrificing a few sailors who are clinging to the rigging for their lives. Jack doesn’t just give the order; he personally takes an axe and severs the ropes himself. It shows how aware he is of the gravity of the decision and the difficulty in executing it.
It’s the leader’s responsibility to make decisions, no matter how tough or the potential consequences (like employee layoffs). Not everyone has the stomach for such choices, and not everyone can be a leader, or at least a good one. Leadership involves decision-making, and some decisions will be good while others may be bad. As long as the ratio of good decisions outweighs the bad ones, it’s alright. However, if it becomes the opposite, it’s important to consider stepping down because it means you’re no longer an effective leader.
Trust, vision, and decisiveness are three key qualities of a good leader. Developing all three is essential to gain the trust of your team, especially when pushing beyond the comfort zone to achieve remarkable things. In addition to these three qualities, I would add two more that make a leader truly exceptional:
Integrity. It means a leader lives by their values and expects the same from their team. Take Jack Aubrey as an example. He is honest, responsible, and always sticks to his moral principles. He sets a great example for his team and doesn’t allow compromises in these matters. He makes us question our own values and integrity and encourages us to choose the right path, even when it’s tough.
Inspiring, the team is also important. It’s partly mentioned through the significance of vision, but inspiring the team is crucial to mobilize them and achieve great things. A powerful and motivating speech can turn things around, boost the team’s energy, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. We all know William Wallace’s speech before the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Once again, Captain Aubrey comes to mind. His enthusiasm, passion, and unwavering dedication to his mission inspire those around him to give their best and achieve extraordinary results. His leadership inspires people to grow, learn, and become the best versions of themselves. It doesn’t get much better than that!
However, it’s important to remember that no leader is perfect. Even Captain Jack Aubrey has his flaws. One of his weaknesses is taking unnecessary risks and being overly confident. Sometimes, he jumps into challenging situations without fully assessing the risks or planning thoroughly. While his adventurous spirit inspires his crew, it can also put them and the ship in danger.
Moreover, Jack sometimes relies too much on his instincts and experience, disregarding the advice and opinions of others. Although he has confidence in himself, he misses out on valuable ideas and perspectives from his crew. This can limit teamwork and creativity.
Lastly, Jack’s determination can sometimes border on stubbornness. While determination is a positive trait, being too stubborn can make him ignore important facts and resist adapting to new conditions. This can hinder his ability to adjust to changes or consider better alternatives.
Leaders are individuals
Complex individuals with both positive and negative aspects. Even famous leaders have flaws in their biographies. It shows that they are human too. A skilled leader knows how to show vulnerability and imperfections to be more relatable and connect with the team. However, there’s a fine line between showing vulnerability and being truly vulnerable, as leaders are constantly under scrutiny. They bear the burden of not being able to share their personal struggles with their subordinates. It’s a lonely position. But that’s a topic for another discussion.
Despite their flaws, leaders’ predominantly positive qualities, like courage, vision, and decisiveness, often outweigh their shortcomings and make them inspiring leaders.
About the Author
Ivan Cevra is a business management expert with a wealth of experience in the corporate sector. After completing his graduate studies at the Faculty of Economics, he continued his education and earned an MBA degree from the prestigious IEDC Bled. With over 20 years of experience working in corporations, Ivan has emerged as a successful leader in executive positions.
