Unleashed

“Great leaders don’t stand in the spotlight; they create conditions where everyone else can shine.” Unleashed answers the question: how can you help others thrive and achieve their best?

1. Leadership is Not About You

Leadership requires shifting your focus from self to others. Great leaders understand that their role isn’t to be the center of attention but to help others succeed. It’s not about ego; it’s about creating an environment where others can perform at their highest level.

A great leader facilitates growth, allowing individuals to flourish. Focusing on others means they see you as a guide rather than a commanding figure. This is not only more fulfilling but also more effective in leading organizations. It shows people that their contributions matter and increases engagement.

True leadership involves listening, observing, and identifying what others need to excel. It’s not about having all the answers; instead, it’s about asking the right questions and creating spaces where others can discover solutions.

Examples

• A director ensures every actor has their moment instead of taking the stage themselves.
• A manager helps employees access professional development resources to enhance their skills.
• A coach adjusts strategies for the strengths of each team member, recognizing diverse contributions.

2. Building Trust is the First Step

Trust is the foundation of effective leadership. Without it, teams falter. Trust is built through sincerity, empathy, and sound judgment. It fosters better relationships and stronger cooperation throughout an organization.

Leaders create trust by being authentic—showing up as their true selves. Empathy plays a vital role, as individuals need to feel that their leader genuinely cares about them. Sound logic is also important; when leaders demonstrate good judgment, others are more likely to follow their guidance.

Leaders who fail to build trust often struggle because people don’t feel secure or valued around them. Take the time to show you care, and be consistent in your reliability and decision-making.

Examples

• A CEO who admits their mistakes builds more trust than one who covers them up.
• Empathy is demonstrated by a leader who listens patiently when employees share work challenges.
• A leader shows good judgment by making transparent, fair decisions that align with shared goals.

3. Empowering Individuals with Both Standards and Support

Great leaders set high expectations while also remaining deeply devoted to the success of those they lead. When combined, these elements become a catalyst for growth.

Setting a high bar demonstrates belief in people’s abilities. Devotion ensures they’re supported while striving to meet those expectations. Leaders should regularly provide positive feedback, celebrating small wins as indicators of progress. This combination motivates individuals and nurtures their confidence.

When leaders only focus on high standards without care, it breeds resentment. Likewise, excessive devotion without expectations can lead to complacency. Balancing the two is key.

Examples

• A teacher pushing students to aim higher while offering extra help after class.
• A manager who requests high performance yet checks in to offer emotional support during crunch time.
• A mentor who challenges their mentee’s ideas while encouraging them to refine their skills.

4. Creating Inclusive and Safe Teams

Teams flourish when they feel safe and included. A strong leader not only ensures diverse voices are heard but actively values and celebrates differences.

Inclusion creates an environment where individuals contribute freely without fear of judgment. Leaders must encourage transparency, eliminate biases, and provide opportunities for growth. When differences are celebrated, teams are more creative, engaged, and innovative.

An inclusive mindset requires leaders to openly acknowledge and dismantle barriers preventing equal participation. It’s about building a culture where every individual feels they belong and can thrive.

Examples

• A workplace removing hidden hierarchies to allow all employees an equal say in meetings.
• Promoting team-building activities that celebrate cultural diversity.
• Implementing mentorship programs to support underrepresented groups.

5. Empowering Teams Beyond Individuals

Once individuals thrive, the next step is strengthening the entire team. Leaders do this by creating unity and fostering collective success.

A team feels unified when everyone shares clear goals and values mutual accountability. Leaders can ensure this by providing consistent guidance and ensuring collaboration takes precedence over competition. This approach strengthens collective resolve.

Fostering a sense of group identity encourages people to work together seamlessly, respecting each other’s strengths and filling in gaps as needed.

Examples

• A project manager schedules regular check-ins to align goals and track shared progress.
• Sports teams train in ways that emphasize strategic collaboration, not just individual talent.
• Leaders emphasize “we” over “I” during meetings to reinforce teamwork.

6. Strategies That Work in Your Absence

Strategic thinking allows leaders to maintain their importance even when they’re physically absent. A clear strategy helps guide decisions and keeps resources focused on the right priorities.

Being strategic means concentrating on what matters most while willing to sacrifice areas of lesser importance. This ensures resources and energy are channeled effectively. Moreover, clear communication of this strategy ensures that teams are aligned, even during uncertainty.

Making strategy visual and repeatable, through clear policies or frameworks, helps employees apply it every day without needing constant oversight.

Examples

• A restaurant focusing solely on high-quality local ingredients, foregoing cost-saving alternatives.
• A company designing a decision-making flowchart for use throughout the organization.
• Leaders who repeat and reinforce goals in every meeting, ensuring alignment across the board.

7. Culture Shapes Behavior

Company culture is the invisible force that influences all behavior. Great leaders actively mold culture to ensure sustained success.

Culture reflects “how things are done here.” To shape it, leaders must model behaviors they want replicated. Rewards and recognitions encourage others to internalize cultural values, reinforcing their importance. Ignoring culture fosters toxicity, while tending to it ensures alignment with the organization’s values.

Healthy cultures are built on clearly communicated expectations, flexibility, and inclusivity. Leaders must ensure culture isn’t confined to posters or slogans but woven into daily behaviors.

Examples

• A company rewarding collaboration over individual achievements encourages teamwork.
• Businesses providing extra leave for community service emphasizes social responsibility.
• Organizations that openly acknowledge internal improvements create trust.

8. Tackling Toxic Cultures

Small problems left unchecked can fester into larger issues. Change begins with leaders owning their role in creating or tolerating toxicity.

Toxic environments thrive on bad assumptions, cliques, or mismatched goals. Leaders should seek “brutal facts,” identify factors that inhibit growth, and work alongside teams to eradicate such elements. Leave no stone unturned and address toxic behaviors swiftly.

Changing culture means being patient but persistent. It’s about learning from failures, recalibrating, and spreading solutions throughout the organization.

Examples

• Leadership at Uber rebranded policies after internal reviews exposed harmful dynamics.
• A startup eliminating status symbols, like exclusive parking spots, to break internal hierarchies.
• A workplace creating anonymous surveys to uncover unspoken toxicities.

9. Long-lasting Leadership Relies on Legacy

Your impact as a leader doesn’t end when you step away. Great leadership focuses on creating a sustainable legacy through people, strategy, and culture.

Building legacy means mentoring successors, weaving values into the company fabric, and ensuring systems uphold them. True leadership success is leaving a lasting, positive impact that’s felt even in your absence.

Leaders who prioritize legacy leave organizations with strong foundations equipped to tackle challenges independently.

Examples

• A founder leaving behind a mentorship program to ensure continuous talent development.
• A transition handbook detailing the values and strategies of a team for new leaders to reference.
• Leaders embedding values into KPIs, ensuring they’re acted on every day.

Takeaways

1. Shift focus from your success to empowering others by building trust, setting high standards, and showing deep commitment to their growth.
2. Create inclusive environments where all individuals feel valued and celebrated for their unique strengths and contributions.
3. Actively shape strategy and culture to sustain your leadership impact, even in your absence, by aligning actions with clear values and fostering collaboration.