Creating a sunny culture for your team

Sharing Experience: James Groves, Indigo Swan

For me, this is what being a true leader is all about. The best leaders I have worked for celebrated me, the team, and others around them – and with the worst, it was all about them, their success, their achievements.

There are some key attributes I believe leaders need to demonstrate in the world today, and we are now waking up to what’s important and learning how to get the best from our people.

The four ‘pillars’ listed below do not work unless we are celebrating each member of the team. We have a responsibility as leaders to inspire those around us, to set the weather in the workplace (more on this later), and to demonstrate that everyone is a valued part of the business. If you take nothing else from this article, then please take away the want and need to celebrate your people – without their success, there is no success at all.

Four pillars of leadership

As learned on my journey as a business leader for 20 years, from things I see in my business, and through the other leaders I work with.

1. Focus. Leaders need focus. In a world full of distractions, it can be difficult to remain focused or to shift from one thing to another without completion. Knowing what is important, having a clear plan, and delivering on what you say you are going to do will allow you to be seen as a true leader by your team, and for them to have the trust and faith in you to lead them in the right direction with integrity, clarity, and vision.
2. The ability to lead in a crisis. “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” as the quote goes. The world and workplace are full of challenges and the ability to lead through these times – to stand up and be seen to take action – is extremely important today.
3. Managing your neurodiverse workforce. I am not an expert, so I will stay away from advice, but we should all be considering the needs of our teams in a way that celebrates all the awesome people we have within our businesses and creates a safe space for all.
4. High levels of emotional intelligence. You cannot teach this, you either have it or you don’t. Leaders without it can be quite disruptive. Look for the people in your business who have it, nurture and develop them, as they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Set the weather

I promised more! Leaders today set the weather for both their business and their teams. We must work hard to bring the sunshine so that the team feels sunny and light. If we bring the storm, then the team will be rocky, disruptive, and lack cohesion.

Bring the sun, focus, show your team empathy and vulnerability, celebrate everyone and their skill set. Be sure to steer them through any rocky seas that might come with inspiration, motivation, and care. Be kind, challenge, and celebrate always.

Main photo shows James Groves with his fellow directors at Indigo Swan.