Elevate’s Post

The hardest conversations are often the most important ones. Yet in our work with senior leaders across the UK, our team at Elevate BC consistently sees one critical skill gap: the ability to have challenging conversations about performance. Here's what we've learned about why leaders avoid these discussions: - Fear of damaging relationships - Reluctant to create 'conflict' - Uncertain about approach - Concern about potential legal implications - Worry about demotivating the individual - Fear of eroding team morale But here's the reality: avoiding difficult conversations doesn't protect your team - it undermines them. Strong leaders understand that addressing underperformance isn't just about fixing problems. It's about: - Setting clear standards - Building trust through transparency - Demonstrating fairness - Creating a feedback culture - Developing growth opportunities - Strengthening team culture The most successful organisations we work with don't shy away from these conversations. They invest in developing this crucial leadership capability. Ready to build confidence in managing challenging conversations? Our expert team can help you develop this essential skill.

🏈 "Do you want to be a star, or do you want to be a champion?" 🏆 In sports and business, great leadership is never about one person – it’s about the team. Further, leadership isn't limited to formal roles such as #Coach or #CEO. Whether you're on the field or in the boardroom, leadership is about influence and impact, regardless of your role. This Harvard Business Review article draws from Tom Brady's team leadership insights. Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Brady (in collaboration with Harvard Business School Professor Nitin Nohria) breaks down the art of leading teams in sports and business. It's long but worth the read. Here are his 7 key leadership lessons: ⭐️ Put the Team First – Even when facing setbacks, the team goal comes first. ⭐️ Appreciate the Unsung Heroes – Acknowledge those who often go unnoticed. ⭐️ Set the Standard for Effort – Push beyond the norm and create a culture of excellence. ⭐️ Understand Individual Motivations – Recognize each teammate’s unique drive. ⭐️ Complement Leadership Styles – Balance your style with that of formal leaders. ⭐️ Counteract Self-Serving Forces – Identify and neutralize pressures that disrupt unity. ⭐️ Build Connections Beyond Work – Shared experiences off the field build trust and stronger bonds. Brady further explores what drives team dynamics in the "What Helps—and What Gets in the Way" section: 🛠️ Character is Hard Wired Changing a teammate's character is tough—most team-oriented habits are rooted in early life experiences. 🛠️ Leaders Operate Within Systems Teams thrive on processes, protocols, and culture. 🛠️ Scaling Leadership is Hard Influencing change in large organizations requires time and trust. 🛠️ Leadership Evolves Over Time Great leaders adapt and grow with their team and environment. Ultimate Takeaway? There’s an enormous upside not just for sports teams but any organization when strong team leaders emerge. Better leaders lead to better results, and a culture where employees are engaged and genuinely enjoy the process. 💡 https://lnkd.in/gQAJWmhS #Leadership #Teamwork #ScaleUp #LearningAndGrowth

After interviewing leaders from different countries and diving into the research, I've finally published my Forbes Coaches Council article: "The Art Of Balancing Leadership Paradoxes." And here's what I've discovered: The higher leaders climb, the bigger their teams—and their responsibilities—become. → More responsibility leads to more complex decisions. → Leaders must balance multiple contradictory issues. At this stage, many leaders realize they need to master a critical skill: ► Navigating leadership paradoxes.◄ What does that mean? → Managing control while empowering others. → Balancing opposites like stability and change. → Focusing on short-term gains AND long-term vision. Want to master this art? 👉 Read my Forbes Council article to learn more https://lnkd.in/ez4ryCxP ---------------------------------- P.S. What leadership paradoxes is the most challenging for you? P.P.S. Lead with confidence and balance. ______________________________ Thank you for engaging with this content. Join me in transforming the workplace, creating an environment where people can thrive, find meaning, and reach new heights. Together, we can make our professional communities better places to work.

Many see leadership as strength, decisiveness, and authority. But one often overlooked and underestimated quality that truly defines great leaders is sensitivity. Sensitivity isn’t about being overly emotional; it’s about being deeply in tune with the people you lead and the environment around you. Here’s why it’s essential for leadership: → Empathy: Sensitivity enables leaders to connect with their teams on a human level. It allows them to understand their team members’ struggles, aspirations, and motivations, fostering a culture of trust and openness. → Adaptability: Sensitive leaders can read the room, picking up on unspoken cues and shifts in morale. This ability allows them to adapt their approach, ensuring their strategies and communications are aligned with the needs of their team. → Empowerment: By acknowledging the emotions and contributions of others, sensitive leaders make people feel valued. When individuals feel heard and understood, they are more likely to engage, collaborate, and take ownership of their work. → Resilience: Sensitivity isn’t about avoiding challenges; it’s about confronting them with awareness. Sensitive leaders can face difficulties head-on, while also providing the emotional support their teams need to navigate tough times. ⤴ The best leaders aren’t just focused on achieving results; they’re committed to creating environments where people feel safe, understood, and empowered to bring their best selves forward. Sensitivity is the bridge that connects head and heart, allowing leaders to inspire others not just through strategy, but through genuine care. If you’re a leader, remember: sensitivity isn’t a vulnerability—it’s your greatest strength.” #leadership #management #mentoring

Why do some teams thrive while others struggle? It’s not just about the people—it’s about leadership too. Leadership isn’t just about ticking boxes on a job description. It’s about delivering on both explicit and implicit expectations: Explicit examples: ↳ Setting goals. ↳ Giving feedback. ↳ Managing resources. Implicit examples: ↳ Building trust. ↳ Motivating the team. ↳ Developing individuals. Think of it like an iceberg 🧊. What you see above the waterline is just a fraction of the whole picture. The real weight—the implicit expectations—lies beneath the surface. When leadership falls short, performance declines. But when leaders excel? Employees find meaning in their work, understand what’s expected, and have everything they need to succeed. The result? Better performance & business outcomes. P.S. Which part of the iceberg are you focusing on? 💡 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 62(5), 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘎𝘪𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 & 𝘈𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘴.

A leader is more than just a person assigning tasks and monitoring performance. They are the bridge between the team and the organization, a voice for the team’s needs, challenges, and aspirations. Here’s why a leader who advocates for their team is essential: 1️⃣ Empowers Trust & Morale: When employees feel that their leader genuinely supports them, it builds trust. A motivated team isn’t one that works harder out of fear but thrives knowing someone has their back. 2️⃣ Removes Barriers to Success: Whether it's securing better tools, flexible schedules, or more training, a proactive leader eliminates obstacles so the team can focus on delivering results, not firefighting. 3️⃣ Drives a Culture of Growth: Leaders who push for fair recognition, promotions, or opportunities foster an environment where employees feel valued and motivated to grow—personally and professionally. 4️⃣ Creates Alignment Across Levels: When leadership aligns the team’s goals with the company’s mission while ensuring the team’s well-being, both the team and the organization win. Great leaders advocate for their team because they understand that their success isn’t individua, it’s collective. If you support your people, they will move mountains. #Leadership #Teamwork #EmployeeAdvocacy #LeadershipMatters #TeamSuccess

Want to know what your EQ is? Understanding and developing your EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient) is crucial to effective and successful leadership. If you're interested in finding out more about your EQ and how to improve it, register your interest with Incredible People's upcoming Leadership EQ workshop.

Leaders, let’s start this Tuesday with a commitment to fostering Trust within our organizations. As recent trends indicate, trust is not just an emotional asset; it's a foundational element of successful leadership. It has been my experience and observation that transparent communication and accountability are pivotal in nurturing trust. Similarly, the importance of consistent positive interactions and empowering employees through delegation are keys to building trust. The authority transferred to junior Sailors by delegating duties and responsibilities used to be a staple of identifying leadership potential and measuring their preparedness for greater levels of accountability. Here are three ways we can generate and maintain trust in our organizations: 1. Emphasize Transparent Communication: Ensure that every message, whether good or bad, is communicated clearly and openly. Transparency not only builds trust but also helps in aligning your team’s expectations with the organization’s goals. 2. Empower Through Delegation: Trust your team with responsibilities. Delegation is not just about distributing tasks; it's about showing trust in your employees' abilities to handle important roles, which in turn boosts their confidence and commitment to the organization. 3. Consistent Recognition and Feedback: Regularly acknowledge the contributions of your team and provide constructive feedback. This recognition fosters an environment of mutual respect and trust, which is essential for any thriving workplace. Leaders, I encourage you to share your experiences. What strategies have you implemented to build trust within your team? Let’s exchange ideas and continue to grow together! #Trust #BuildingResilience #LeadershipDevelopment #KempSolutions

Leadership isn’t about knowing everything or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about listening, acknowledging contributions, validating diverse ideas, and using your unique strengths to make informed decisions. I’m Karen Flynn, or as my clients call me, Coach K. With experience across four continents, I help leaders navigate cultural diversity, becoming more curious and comfortable with differences. In my blog, 'Direct Yet Diplomatic: Make Diversity a Strategic Advantage', I explore how leaders can turn cultural differences into tools for growth. Over the last eight years, I’ve coached executives from North America, Europe, and Asia to embrace humility and curiosity, shifting their perspectives to create inclusive communication styles. The result? Leveraging differences to achieve organizational success with their teams. Dive into my first blog, https://lnkd.in/dCQN9MGG, and discover strategies for facilitating candid conversations, creating an inclusive team culture, and leading with purpose. Follow each blog in the coming weeks as we explore strategies and tools that transform leadership in global organizations.

🌟 Embracing Effective Leadership 🌟 True leadership goes beyond merely giving orders; it's about fostering an environment of trust, safety, and empowerment. When leaders prioritize creating a safe space where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear, they cultivate a culture of openness and collaboration. In such an environment, team members are encouraged to speak up, admit mistakes, and seek help without hesitation. This not only nurtures trust and respect but also fosters a sense of belonging and unity. Conversely, in environments plagued by fear, employees may become more focused on self-protection rather than contributing positively to the organization's goals. As leaders, it's crucial to prioritize building a supportive atmosphere that empowers individuals to take risks, innovate, and grow. This not only strengthens teams but also equips them with the resilience needed to overcome challenges and achieve collective success. Let's strive to lead with empathy, trust, and courage, creating spaces where everyone can thrive and contribute their best! 💪🌱 #Leadership #Empowerment #TeamBuilding #Trust #Innovation