10 Lessons From “Leaders Don’t Command: Inspire Growth, Ingenuity, and Collaboration” by Jorge Cuervo”
1. Shifting from Outcome to Effort: Move beyond just the final result. Inspirational leaders celebrate the dedication and effort put into a task, fostering a “never give up” attitude and a focus on learning from setbacks.
2. Creating a Safe Space for Vulnerability: Leaders build trust by admitting mistakes and encouraging open communication. This creates a psychologically safe environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking risks without fear of judgement.
3. Sparking Innovation with Playful Experimentation: Ditch the rigid approach! Inspirational leaders encourage brainstorming sessions with a lighthearted, “outside-the-box” theme. They embrace wild ideas and foster a culture where creativity thrives.
4. Empowering Through Clear Communication: Leaders avoid confusion with clear communication. They outline project goals, expectations, and deadlines while discussing individual strengths and delegating tasks that align with those strengths. This empowers team members and fosters project ownership.
5. Fueling Motivation with Recognition: Publicly acknowledge a team member’s accomplishments! A personalized thank you note or a small reward shows appreciation and motivates others to strive for excellence.
6. Leading by Example: Actions speak louder than words. Inspirational leaders embody the values and behaviors they expect, demonstrating work ethic, integrity, and a positive attitude. This earns trust and inspires commitment from the team.
7. Building Bridges, Not Walls: Inspirational leaders take the time to build genuine relationships. They invest in getting to know their team members on a personal level, fostering connections that create a positive and supportive work environment.
8. Unlocking Potential Through Coaching: Leaders are coaches, not just bosses. They invest in their team’s growth by discussing career goals, providing mentorship, and offering opportunities for learning and taking on new challenges. This ensures the team has the necessary skills for long-term success.
9. Encourage Ownership and Autonomy: Instead of micromanaging, leaders empower their team members by giving them ownership of their work and the autonomy to make decisions. This fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability.
10. Stay Humble and Open-Minded: Even the most successful leaders have room for growth. They remain humble, open-minded, and receptive to new ideas and perspectives, continuously striving to improve themselves and their teams.