Did you know that you hold the key to doubling the productivity of your employees? A study by Bain & Company determined employees who work for inspiring leaders are twice as productive as employees who are merely satisfied.
So, if you want to double productivity, you must be a leader who inspires your employees. The question is, how? How does one become an inspiring leader?
Last week we looked at the Bain study in some detail (check it out here). Bain’s research determined 33 distinct attributes of leaders that inspire others. They grouped the 33 attributes into four buckets:
- Developing Inner Resources,
- Connecting with Others,
- Setting the Tone, and
- Leading a Team.
Exceptional leaders that inspire others have strength in some combination of at least four of the 33 attributes. It didn’t matter which attribute. You just had to have strength in at least four.
The Most Important Attribute
However, one attribute stood out above the others. It is the only attribute considered mandatory. It is the attribute of Centeredness. Centeredness, according to Bain, “is a precondition to using one’s leadership strengths effectively.”
What is Centeredness?
Centeredness is the ability to be mindful of the decisions and actions we take. We bring our thoughts, feelings, and awareness of our surroundings together as we consider what action to take in any situation. Centered leaders don’t jump to conclusions. Instead, centered leaders pause and center themselves to deliver thoughtful, strategic responses.
The Benefits of Centeredness
The folks at Bain describe the benefits of Centeredness as the “ability to stay levelheaded, to cope with job stresses, to empathize with others, and to listen more deeply.”
Having worked with a variety of leader types, I assure you the leaders that inspired me were leaders who were centered. They were level-headed, coped with stress well, were empathetic, and listened.
Level-Headed
An inspiring leader is a level-headed leader who is calm and sensible. They have sound judgment.
Solomon had a lot going on in his life. Detractors and enemies came at him from all directions. He understood that a leader who can control their anger and remain calm could resolve most situations. Solomon wrote,
“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute” (Proverbs 15:18).
Copes with Stress
An inspiring leader copes with stress well. They manage the stress of the workplace without adding to the stress of their employees.
One attribute of great leaders I valued most was their ability to handle the stress of the business while shielding the rest of their organization from the craziness.
Leading the 12 tribes of Israel was stressful, but Solomon gave his stress over to God, knowing that God would sustain him. He wrote,
“Cast your cares on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Proverbs 55:22).
Empathetic
An inspiring leader is empathetic. They recognize and understand other people’s emotions and respect their perspectives.
Leaders who inspire others understand that different people handle situations differently and are sensitive to that difference. These leaders don’t just look out for themselves but for the interests of the people in their organizations. Writing to the Philippians, Paul said,
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
Listen to Others
An inspiring leader knows how to listen to others actively. They seek first to understand and then to be understood.
Leaders who don’t listen are unaware of what is happening in their organizations. People are more forthcoming with leaders they know will listen—leaders who listen increase in wisdom. Leaders who don’t listen lose the trust of their people. Solomon wrote,
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end, you will be wise” (Proverbs 19:20).
In my experience, the most visible signs of a centered leader is a leader who is level-headed, copes with stress well, is empathetic, and listens to others!
When these qualities are taken together, centered leaders avoid making rash decisions and are thoughtful and strategic in their decision-making. That is what makes them inspiring!
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. For example, have you worked for leaders whom you considered centered leaders? Would others describe you as a centered leader?
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Category: Skills | Leadership Development
