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In the dynamic world of business, effective leadership hinges not on the ‘how,’ but on the ‘who.’ This critical insight, shared by a prominent leadership coach, underscores a transformative approach to achieving organisational goals.
Why ‘Who’ Matters More Than ‘How’
Leveraging Collective Knowledge: When leaders focus solely on the ‘how,’ their solutions are limited by their own experiences. As highlighted in the recent interview, “If you’re thinking how by yourself, your solution is limited to your own knowledge and experiences.” Engaging others brings diverse perspectives, and enriching problem-solving.
Ownership and Engagement: Delegating tasks early fosters ownership among team members. As noted, “If you take the how halfway… it feels like yours, because you travelled too far with the how.” By involving team members from the start, leaders ensure that solutions feel like a collective achievement, enhancing engagement and commitment.
Effective Delegation and Growth: Effective leadership is about empowering the right people. “If you don’t have a who, who is the who, it’s always you.” By focusing on ‘who,’ leaders can delegate effectively, promoting team growth and allowing leaders to focus on strategic vision and alignment.
Real-World Application: A Case Study
An executive from a financial services firm exemplified this approach. Faced with a significant problem, his instinct was to dictate the solution. Instead, he asked his top employee to come up with options. This approach not only yielded a perfect solution but also fostered a sense of ownership and development in his team.
Practical Tips for Leaders
Ask for Options: Instead of directing, ask your team for multiple solutions. This promotes critical thinking and collective ownership.
Delegate Early: Engage your team from the beginning to ensure that tasks feel like their responsibility, not just delegated tasks.
Empower and Align: Focus on motivating and aligning your team towards a common vision, allowing them to execute the ‘how.’
In conclusion, successful leadership is about identifying and empowering the right people (‘who’) rather than focusing on the ‘how.’ This shift not only leads to more effective problem-solving but also fosters a more engaged, motivated, and capable team.