The Seven Ways To Become A Generous Leader

Speaking about his new book, The Generous Leader, author Joe Davis says, “This book is about the ways in which you can become a generous leader to be part of something bigger than yourself.”

He adds that the old model for a leader – a top-down, unilateral, single-focus boss, isn’t effective in today’s workplace. “That old model no longer attracts talent, invites collaboration, or gets the best results from the team. That leader’s time is passed. Today, there is a need for a more human-centered, bighearted, authentic way to lead,” adds Davis.

To help you become a generous leader, Davis introduces you to seven essential elements that he believes will develop you into a leader for the future.

The seven elements are:

Generous Communication: Be real to build deep connections. Be available to connect with the person, and not just the person in their role to make them feel seen.
Generous Listening: Be sincerely curious about another’s perspective. Ask thoughtful questions. Ask “why” often.
Generous Inclusion: Be inclusive to invite collaboration and show respect.
The Generous Ally: Take chances to make chances for others.
Generous Development: Validate strengths and success, identify expansive opportunities.
Generous Moments: Make small acts of acknowledgment in important moments to make a big impact.
Give up the Mask: Be emotionally accessible with authenticity and vulnerability.

“Being vulnerable with your staff is intimidating, but when connecting with people not only will you grow as a leader and a person, but your business will grow as well,” explains Davis. Also, “bringing your authentic self to your leadership takes courage and commitment, but you reap profound benefits from heart-led generous acts.”

Throughout this book and essential and practical guide, you will discover unvarnished and unforgettable stories, the author, and CEOs of well-recognized companies reveal about their experiences and mistakes that informed their success.

I agree with Davis, there is a no more powerful leader than a generous leader! A leader who unlocks the best parts of himself/herself to become the best leader possible.

Joe Davis

Today, Davis shares these insights with us:

Question: Of the seven essential elements, which do you find the most difficult for leaders to master and why?

Davis: I think the two toughest are Give Up the Mask and Generous Listening.

First is sharing personal self, being vulnerable and authentic. Why? It is just not how so many of us were trained or raised to be leaders. The “tough guy” in control, in charge, have all the answers person has been glorified for too long.

Also, many of us do not have experience with showing emotions and the power of what happens when we do.

Second is listening to learn. You need to become comfortable knowing you do not know what you do not know and thus always ask questions, probing and exploring what others know that you do not, so you get to a richer answer/insight.

People also do not slow down enough to try to understand where the other is coming from – their lived experience. Why does this happen? It’s because often we think we know it all. Or we are afraid to show we do not know it all or feel we have done all the “work and analysis” and are sure we have the answer. Even worse, we don’t care about another’s experiences.

Question: If a reader can only tackle one or two of the seven essential elements this year as they strive to become a better leader, which one or two do you recommend they tackle and why?

Davis:

If talking about two to tackle, I recommend:

Generous Listening: Listen to learn, ask questions, probe, learn what others know. Doing so provides you with a much richer answer/insight. It makes the other person feel included, empowered, inspired, motivated. Ask questions!

Generous Moments: Take some small actions that will have huge impact. It’s easy to get started and it makes others feel recognized. It shows you care about others. When people feel recognized and appreciated, they will be inspired to be better, do more, perform higher – all benefitting them, the organization, and its mission, and you.

Davis is a Managing Director and Senior Partner at the Boston Consulting Group.

In The Generous Leader, Joe tells a story about a performance review he received as he was just starting his career: He was told he was not the best at problem-solving solo; but in collaboration with others, he could solve any challenge. His manager identified his key strength—Joe was a person who could connect with anyone.

This ability to connect with people became the foundation of a successful career at Boston Consulting Group, spanning 40-plus years.

Finally, here are the 10 guiding actions that Davis practices after he wakes up each morning:

Start the day caring.
Always remember you don’t know what you don’t know.
Find constant opportunities to engage, listen, and hear.
Work hard to hear from, and team with, the broadest possible set of voices.
Engage honestly; be real.
Speak plainly, directly, and honestly in all interactions.
Make decisions decisively, yet with the confidence and humbleness to adjust if wrong.
Make productive use of each moment each day.
Live each day positively, with high energy and a smile that exudes confidence.
Care for yourself, your health, and your well-being (exercise, sleep, eat healthfully).

Thank you to the book's publisher for sending me an advance copy of the book.

Comments

A Guide For How To Dream Big And Win In Business

In Dream Big and Win , author Liz Elting shares the lessons she learned ― both the successes and failures ― while building a billion-dollar company from scratch. She explains why you need not only passion and purpose to win big, but also: a willingness to take decisive action grit sweat equity determination positive attitude Elting’s fascinating story began with her entirely self-funded business launch that started in a dorm room. By possessing a disciplined set of principles and focusing on carefully developing her leadership skills throughout the process, she was able to achieve her goal of becoming #1 in the translation market that was already dominated by established competitors. Today, Elting is the Founder and CEO of The Elizabeth Elting Foundation, which creates scholarship opportunities for entrepreneurial young women, funds exciting women-led startups and social businesses, and supports women-led organizations that foster women’s success through educational prog...

Mission Statements Are Not Always About Money

From the book, Light A Fire Under Your Business : A clear and concise mission statement defines, in the simplest terms, your organization's core reason for being, and it had better not be all about money. Money is definitely important to most of society, and it is a motivator. But many people aspire to be part of something more meaningful than just a paycheck. They want a paycheck that is also connected to a culture that offers greater intrinsic values.

How To Be An Impact Player In The Workplace

Within the workplace there are Contributors and Impact Players – each representing a distinct way of working – the first leads to a job well done while the other carves a path to true leadership and generates immense value. More specifically, Liz Wiseman , author of the new book, Impact Players , explains that: While others do their job, Impact Players figure out the real job to be done. While others wait for direction, Impact Players step up and lead. While others escalate problems, Impact Players move things across the finish line. While others attempt to minimize change, Impact Players are learning and adapting to change. While others add to the load, Impact Players make heavy demands feel lighter. “ Impact Players is written for aspiring leaders, striving professionals who want to be more successful at work, increase their influence, and multiply their impact,” explains Wiseman. “It is also a book for today’s leaders, those managers who want t...

Full Engagement By Brian Tracy

Best-selling author Brian Tracy's book, Full Engagement , provides practical advice for how to inspire your employees to perform at their absolute best. He explains that above nearly every measure, employees' most powerful single motivator is the "desire to be happy." So, Tracy teaches you how to make your employees happy by: Organizing their work from the first step in the hiring process through the final step in their departure from your company so they are happy with you, their work, their coworkers, as well as in their interactions with your customers, suppliers and vendors. Full Engagement includes these chapters and topics: The Psychology of Motivation Ignite the Flame of Personal Performance Make People Feel Important Drive Out Fear Create That Winning Feeling Select The Right People Internal Versus External Motivation At a minimum, Tracy suggests that managers do the following when managing their employees : Smile Ask questions Listen ...

Nelson Mandela Leadership Quotes

Here are my favorite Nelson Mandela leadership quotes: "Lead from the back--and let others believe they are in front." "The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall." "It always seems impossible until it's done." "I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles." "I've learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." "Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again."

Job Descriptions Should All Fit Together Logically And Strategically

Whether you have one or many employees, be sure each has a current and accurate job description . A job description is a written document that should include the: employee's duties employee's responsibilities outcomes needed from that position. It should also include the required qualifications and reporting relationship. If your employee has a poorly written job description, or one that is out-of-date, it will lead to confusion and misunderstandings. Once you have a job description for each employee, you'll be able to ensure the descriptions all fit together logically and leave no holes in the duties that need to be assigned. Check your job descriptions at least yearly to be sure they reflect the employee's proper title and current duties. Very often employees get new job titles or are assigned new tasks mid-year, and those don't get reflected in their job descriptions. Don't let that happen. Finally, if you don't have access to a Human ...

Thanks HCI For Naming This Blog In Your Best Blogs - Talent 2011

A big thanks to Human Capital Institute (HCI) for including my blog on management and leadership in its list of the Best Blogs - Talent 2011. HCI is a global association for talent management and new economy leadership, and a clearinghouse for best practices and new ideas. Its network of expert practitioners, Fortune 1000 and Global 2000 corporations, government agencies, global consultants and business schools contribute a stream of constantly-evolving information, the best of which is organized, analyzed and shared with members through HCI communities, research, education and events.

Three Quick Tips For How Best To Explain Change

When you communicate change to your team, explain the logical and the rational reasons for the change: 1. Explain how the change will make employees feel before, during and after the implementation. 2. Explain the tactical plan and goals . 3. Answer questions from your team.

Seven Ways To Stay Motivated

To learn how to stay motivated, read High-Profit Prospecting , by Mark Hunter . It's a powerful read that includes counter intuitive advice and cutting-edge best practices for sales prospecting in today's business world. Today, I share one of my favorite sections of the book where Hunter describes his seven things motivated people do to stay motivated : Motivated people ignore voices in their lives . These might be people in the office and friends who have bad attitudes. They're out there, and if you're not careful, they'll control you, too. Motivated people associate with highly motivated people . Just as there are negative people in the world, there are also positive people. Your job is to make sure you spend as much time with the positive people as possible. Motivated people simply look for the positive in things . Positive people count it an honor to live each day, learn from others, and impact positively those they meet. Positive people take great satisfaction...

Business And Life Lessons My Father Taught Me

On this Father's Day , I thank my dad for teaching me the following business and life lessons : Listen - Growing up, I thought my Dad was perhaps shy or quiet. Really, he was just a great listener. I believe that's what made him so wise. He would listen to anyone. Young or old. New acquaintance or friend. Provide - My Dad provided for me. Music lessons. Vacations. Summer camp. Boy Scouts. He gave. He put others' needs first. Today, I find in volunteering likely the same satisfaction he felt when he provided. Educate - My Dad's passion was education. He loved to learn. He loved even more to teach. He lived to help other people learn. In the workplace, providing learning opportunities is one of the most powerful things you can do for an employee. Mentoring is equally powerful. Train & Prepare - All those years of hearing, "Have you done your homework?" and "practice your trombone," served me well....

Eric Jacobson On Management And Leadership

Search This Blog