Unlocking Leadership in the Modern Organizational Landscape

In today's dynamic organizational landscape, the discourse around leadership and management has taken center stage. Often, we find ourselves blurring the lines between leaders and managers. All meetings are now named “leadership meetings”, teams are requalified as “Teams of leaders”. It is crucial to elucidate this concept and delineate the core elements that define leadership. Lets me provide you a personal opinion on how topic could be seen today and let’s explore some facets of what leadership means, at least for me, today in a company.

1. Leadership Defined

First leadership isn't a title bestowed upon you by an organization or by the communication team. It's a distinction earned through the recognition and trust of your peers and team members. In essence, leaders are individuals who are chosen to guide and inspire others. They probably do not qualify themselves as leaders. However, evenif the example is a bit extreme, when your team willingly sacrifices its weekend to support your endeavors, you clearly embody leadership. Leadership, therefore, hinges on the voluntary followship of those you work with. It has nothing about assignment and orgcharts, it is about relations with people, a unique ability to create a trustful chemistry.

I do remember during my first assignment in a Michelin factory in France when Francois Michelin, the “Gérant”/CEO was coming. Caring the legacy of the entire Michelin name, he was meeting colleagues directly in the workshop, spending time to explain and to receive feedbacks. Authentic, he had the amazing capability to create links with people around him. When his song, Edouard Michelin, took over, the dynamic remained the same with a remarkable proximity. I could have definitively worked during the week-end !

2. Vision as the North Star

Leadership commences with a crystal-clear vision. It's about having a profound understanding of what you collectively aspire to become. This vision should transcend monetary gains. When executive spend too much time on financial performances, it is management, not leadership. Vision should be deeply connected to broader societal, environmental, and political impacts. A compelling vision serves as the lodestar, unifying the organization's purpose, and inspiring all stakeholders. Great leaders visions serve as guiding lights, inspiring teams to work together towards a common goal. Let’s take Tesla: "To create the most compelling car company of the 21st century by driving the world's transition to electric vehicles” or Google: "To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful".

3. Communication: The Art of Inspiring

Effective leadership is synonymous with the ability to articulate and communicate the vision persuasively. Leaders don't drown their teams in endless meetings and micromanagement. Instead, they foster an environment of open communication, where ideas are encouraged, and autonomy is granted. They spark a positive emulation of the vision, encouraging teams to innovate and strive for excellence.

4. Building Powerful, Engaged Teams

Leaders are not preoccupied with resumes and qualifications; they look beyond the CV. They possess an innate ability to identify and nurture the potential within individuals. Their focus lies in assembling teams that are not just proficient but deeply committed to the organization's vision. They understand that true success hinges on the strength of the collective, not the prominence of the individual.

5. The Act of Execution

Leaders are individuals who drive action. While managers excel in the art of monitoring, leaders are the ones who inspire their teams to act. They lead by example without any compromise, demonstrating commitment and dedication to the cause. They recognize that success isn't measured by the number of meetings or reports but by the tangible impact made on the ground. Ask yourself: would you fly eco if you ask all your teams to do so ?

Challenging the Status Quo

In conclusion, it is paramount to challenge the narratives surrounding leadership in our organizations. When discussions veer towards leadership, it's vital to steer the conversation back to its core essence: What is our collective purpose, and what actions must we take to achieve success ? Leadership is not a title but a distinction earned through vision, communication, team-building, and a relentless drive for execution. It's about inspiring voluntary followship, galvanizing individuals to unite and work towards a shared goal that transcends mere profit and touches the heart of society, the environment, and politics. In this understanding of leadership, we find the true essence of success and progress.