My how fast this year has flown by! As we prepare to close the year 2022, we would like to challenge our young and growing leaders to take a deep look inwards. What has 2022 been like for you as a leader? What has been your attitude to leadership? Have you grown as a leader?
As human beings, we have five ways that we use to perceive or sense things, that is, through our nose, eyes, mouth, ears and touch. Earlier in the year, we referenced the nose in a leadership blog entitled ‘The fragrance of Leadership’ (https://www.openkanvasesafrica.co.ke/the-fragrance-of-leadership/). Similar to how the scent of flowers can fill a room and evoke an emotion, my question to you in the blog was what fragrance are you leaving behind after an interaction with your team? What sort of emotion are you evoking in your teams? Is it inspiration, a conviction to do well or are you evoking in your teams a deep desire to start job hunting, to get as far away from you as possible?
In this blog, we will be referencing the remaining four senses, that is mouth, eyes, ears and touch. Using some quotes that we have found inspiring over the years and by asking you some questions, we would like to take you into a space of self-reflection. As you reflect on the quotes and hopefully answer the questions, we hope you will receive some guidance into who you have been as a leader this past year and gain some insight into what you need to do to go forward. All the best!
Mouth: Your voice can change the world – Barrack Obama
Question: As a leader, how are you using your voice? What are your teams hearing you say?
It is said that the art of communication is the language of leadership (James Humes), how has your communication style impacted the team? Are they responding to it in a positive way? Has communication been a struggle for you this past year?
Communication is the key to success, if you are struggling with it, you need to start finding ways to improve. Enrol into a communication course or seek mentorship from someone you feel is an excellent communicator.
Eyes: Example is Leadership – Albert Schweitzer
I reference this quote in our November leadership blog, in case you did not read it, hear is the link – https://www.openkanvasesafrica.co.ke/example-is-leadership-albert-schweitzer/
Question: When your teams look at you, what and who do they see? Are you being a role model or a hypocrite to your teams?
From the point of view of the leader, are you using your eyes to observe what is going on with your teams, or are you always being taken by surprise? A lot of the challenges leaders face within teams is not from what is said, but from what goes unsaid. Take time to observe their body language, you will be surprised how much you can learn.
Ears: We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak – Epicteus
Question: Are you listening to your teams? Once again, your teams will always be communicating something to you both verbally and non-verbally. It is important you take time to hear what they are saying. Secondly, do not pretend to hear, this will never earn you brownie points with your teams. Be present, hear and respond accordingly. Whether it is a positive or negative response, if a team member feels that you took the time to listen, they will be grateful.
Touch: To lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart. Always touch a person’s heart before you ask him for a hand – John Maxwell. He goes on to explain this by saying, people buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.
Question: Are you touching your team’s hearts? Are you inspiring them to work their best for you? Have they given you their hand so you can lead them?
In the blog Fragrance of Leadership, I referred to something Robin Sharma said in his book The Greatness Guide. He said, human beings move when their emotions are moved. Leadership is about influencing people to help you achieve a vision, to help you knock out your strategy and goals. It is also about influencing people to grow and become a better and stronger version of themselves. For your teams to be influenced by you, they have to feel an emotional connection to the vision and to you as a leader.
How are you using your nose, mouth, eyes, ears and touch to influence your teams to be the best they can be. Remember a leader a reflection of their teams.
Some food for your thoughts!
