Are you struggling to find enough leadership in your organization? On this episode of The Leadership Hustle Podcast, Andrea and Michelle discuss the scarcity of leadership and how it affects businesses. Explore the big differences between managing resources and leading teams, as well as dive into key areas such as creating a culture of motivation and inspiring others. Learn what you can do to address the scarcity of leadership within your organization today!

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Expand Your Leadership Skills.

Leader Activities: The Scarcity of Leadership

What are leader activities exactly? What leadership tasks does one have to do to become a great boss? Most of the time, leaders and leadership skills become scarce because people in these roles become overwhelmed with tasks that are not for them.

In this Leadership Hustle Podcast episode, Andrea Fredrickson and Michelle Hill from Revela Group talk about the activities that leaders in your organization should and should not be doing.

So, if you ever feel like your leadership skills are getting lost with all your other activities, keep reading; we tell you how to get back on the right track. 

Leaders vs. Manager

In the corporate world, the terms 'leader' and 'manager' are often used interchangeably, but they represent two fundamentally different roles with distinct characteristics and responsibilities.

A manager is primarily concerned with managing resources, which includes people, budget, and time. Their role is mainly operational, ensuring tasks are completed on time, within budget, and to the required standard.

On the other hand, a leader is someone who inspires and motivates their team to achieve a shared vision. They act as coaches, guiding their team members toward personal and professional growth.

Leadership Scarcity

The main problem is that many organizations put leaders in manager roles, making it impossible for them actually to take on leadership tasks.

Another reason for the scarcity is that companies do not prioritize leadership development in their training programs. As a result, people in leadership roles may lack the necessary skills to coach and mentor their teams effectively.

So what exactly does a leader do? What are their activities, and how can you promote leadership development?

Leader Activities

In an ever-evolving corporate landscape, effective leadership goes beyond simply delegating tasks. The activities of a leader need to actively engage with their teams, foster a conducive work environment, and think strategically to drive organizational growth. Here are some of the main tasks and behaviors leaders must do and have.

• Challenging the Team Employees who don't feel challenged often lack motivation, which can lead to stagnation and decreased productivity. The leader will ensure that your team members are continually challenged and stay motivated.

• This could involve assigning them new tasks, setting more ambitious goals, or encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and take on more responsibility.

• They Focus on the Results Micromanagement can demotivate your team. Leaders focus on the end results, not so much on every little detail that goes on into the process.  Leaders give their teams the autonomy they need to approach their tasks in the way they find most effective. Trust in their abilities and guide them when necessary, but avoid getting caught up in every minor detail.

• Identifying Opportunities Leaders seek and find new opportunities for growth. They keep up with industry trends and developments, understand your organization's strengths and weaknesses, and identify potential opportunities.

• Solution-Oriented Thinking Solution-oriented thinking is a critical skill for any leader. It's not enough to simply identify problems; leaders must also be adept at finding effective and efficient solutions. This requires a deep understanding of the issue at hand and creativity to explore various potential solutions.

• Strategic Planning and Proactivity Strategic planning and proactivity go hand in hand with effective leadership. Leaders need to have a clear vision for the future of the organization and set long-term goals accordingly.  This involves understanding the organization's current position, identifying its desired future state, and devising strategies to bridge the gap. But strategic planning isn't just about setting a path for the future.

• Creating a Positive Work Environment Leaders play a crucial role in shaping the workplace culture. They should strive to create an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and eager to contribute. This involves recognizing and appreciating their efforts, promoting open communication, and providing opportunities for growth and development.

• Making Tough Decisions Leadership often involves making difficult decisions. This requires courage, good judgment, and the ability to put the organization's needs above personal ego. Leaders should be able to make these tough calls when necessary, even when they are unpopular.

The Art of Effective Leadership

In conclusion, mastering effective leadership is about juggling strategic thinking, people management, and decision-making. It's about fostering a solution-oriented mindset, encouraging proactivity, and sharpening strategic planning skills.

When leaders focus on these areas, they create a motivated team, drive organizational growth, and steer their teams through challenges with confidence and clarity.

However, if you find leadership to be a scarce resource in your business, remember that help is at hand. At Revela Group, we specialize in nurturing leadership activities, skills and transforming your staff into inspiring leaders.

About the Hosts

Andrea Fredrickson

Andrea Fredrickson is a thought leader and consultant at Revela, an organization based in Omaha, Nebraska specializing in the development of leaders, culture alignment, and business strategy for private and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness. Andrea has built an amazing team by believing that fundamentally people want to be successful and become better versions of themselves.  

Michelle Hill

Michelle Hill is a master facilitator and coach at Revela, an organization specializing in the development of leaders and aligning the culture of privately held and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness. 

TRANSCRIPT

Andrea Frederickson: On this episode of The Leadership Hustle, we'll talk about the scarcity of leadership. Hello and welcome to the Leadership Hustle. For executives whose companies are growing fast and need leaders who are ready. Welcome to the next episode of The Leadership Hustle. I'm Andrea Fredrickson, your host, and I'm here with Michelle. How are you doing, Michelle? Good. How are you doing? It's good. And today we are going to look into the subject of a scarcity of leadership. Literally today, right before we're recording this episode, I had a phone call from a HR leader who was looking for a high-level leadership development program.