& nbsp
Author: Sara Wilkes, CEO, Agilitas
Long before becoming CEO, I took a temperature for Perm as a receptionist at Computacenter in 2006. Fast advance of 19 years and I am often asked about my trip from reception to the conference room, which is always a moment of “pinching”. I had the chance to work with incredible leaders in the technology industry, to see in first hand the styles that lead to success and, also important, those who do not. My trip taught me a crucial thing: it’s all about people.
Leadership is not static; It is fluid, and how your style is perceived can be a challenge, especially with the various personalities around you. But beauty is by refreshing your approach, you can evolve to become the kind of leader you want to be.
The best leaders make everyone smarter
A tactic that resonates with me is the multiplier effect, a leadership approach which focuses on the release of the full potential of your team. The idea comes from Liz Wiseman’s book, Multipliers: how the best leaders make everyone smarterAnd it is the one who had a deep impact on my own style of leadership.
The multipliers lead people to think by themselves and to unlock their potential. They create an environment where people feel authorized to learn and grow, making a huge contribution not only to the company but also to their own personal development. In my leadership career, I learned that when I lead like a multiplier, I don’t only give answers, I ask questions, I trigger moments of bulb and I encourage those around me to be bigger and daring. It is essential to encourage growth and continuous learning, not only for your team, but also for yourself. I’m not afraid to ask for help, and I have my own mentors who will call me and help me grow. I read, listen to podcasts and actively look for new ways to improve because, as all leader will tell you, if you do not grow, you have lagging behind.
Work towards a shared vision
Regarding leadership at Agilitas, the creation of a culture where everyone can prosper is at the top of my list. We follow a “total experience” approach, which means that we think everything is connected. The way our employees feel an impact on how they interact with our customers and, ultimately, this has an impact on the overall performance of the company. It is a 360 -degree approach to growth and success.
When people feel valued and authorized, they go beyond
Part of this culture construction is to create a team of A players A. But as anyone knows in a very efficient team, the secret of success is not only to have a group of rockstars. It is a question of ensuring that everyone works towards a shared vision. Setting clear objectives and strategies is the key to ensuring that alignment occurs.
Each quarter, the Agilitas management team goes to a New Forest farm for an off -site strategy session. This is an excellent opportunity to move away from distractions and really focus on the definition of management for the next quarter. These sessions help to guarantee that everyone understands the objectives, the strategy and the way in which their roles contribute to the situation as a whole.
Build an inclusion culture
When I think about my previous role as president of the Diversity and Inclusion Council, where I helped establish seven groups led by employees, I see how powerful perspectives are to shape a flourishing workplace.
Beyond gender and ethnicity, diversity includes cognitive diversity, defend different ways of thinking, problem solving and challenges. This diversity of thought arouses creativity, promotes resilience and encourages more innovative solutions. The construction of an inclusion culture strengthens psychological security, allowing employees to feel confident to share their ideas and take risks.
I am firmly convinced that when people feel valued and authorized, they go beyond. When employees feel invested in their work and in the company, they are more likely to contribute their best ideas, to make an additional effort for customers and to feel that they are more likely. This is the multiplier effect in action: committed employees lead to satisfied customers, which stimulates commercial performance.
For the future, I am enthusiastic about the future of Agilitas and the broader technological industry. By focusing on the growth, development and creation of an environment where people feel empowered, we can promote a growth cycle that creates long -term success and has an impact. As leaders, we have the power to multiply the size. Take the best party.