The Significance of Creative Leadership - A focus on Relating, Caring and a Team Player

The Significance of Creative Leadership – Focus on Relating, Caring and a Team Player

An Excerpt from Mastering Leadership: An Integrated Framework for Breakthrough Performance and Extraordinary Business Results, by Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams (Wiley, 2015)

What does it mean to Care?

Being a caring leader means prioritizing the well-being and development of the people you lead, demonstrating empathy, support, and understanding in your leadership style. A caring leader fosters a positive and inclusive environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and supported both personally and professionally.

Caring is your ability to form warm, caring long-lasting relationships. It also means that you genuinely care about others. People feel supported in your presence because you are open to high quality, trusting, caring relationships. You accept people for who they are and communicate unconditionally positive regard. You are willing to vulnerably share strengths and weaknesses, hopes and fears. People tend to trust you because of your genuine caring nature.

What does it mean to be a team player?

When we say a leader is a team player, it means they actively contribute to the team's success, collaborate effectively, and place the team's goals above their personal ambitions. A leader who is a team player understands that their role is not just about giving orders but about working alongside others, fostering a cooperative and inclusive environment.

To be a team player is about fostering high-performance teamwork among team members that report to you, across the organization, and within teams in which you participate. You also participate within groups in a way that promotes high levels of teamwork, cooperation, team spirit, and synergy.

Have a great week and be a leader who cares and is a great team player.