Introspective assessment vital for leadership development

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In 2011, Bill George, Harvard Business school professor, addressed a room full of senior leaders and executives with a powerful question: "Why should anyone be led by you?" - a question that inspires thought provoking debate on leadership style and development.

As a leader, do you know why your people follow you? Do you know what they think of your leadership style? What impact is this having on your organisation?

Kenexa's global research shows that up to 40 per cent of the success of an organisation can be attributed to the capabilities of its leaders.

Additionally, individuals who feel their leaders are effective have an engagement level that is 500 per cent higher than those who feel their leaders are ineffective.

So where do you start when tackling the sometimes seemingly insurmountable mountain called 'leadership development'?

In our experience, it begins with a question ... or a few.

Answering the question "how do I want to lead?" and then becoming aware of how others perceive your leadership opens the door for conversations around what you might do differently and the support you need to achieve this.

360 degree surveys have become a well-known and easily accessible tool for starting the process of leadership transformation.

As you are unlikely to have been born with all the written and researched skills and qualities that define exemplary leadership, you may want to begin by finding out what others think you are really great at and where you could improve.

This process of self-discovery and self-awareness can allow for greater self-regulation and hence flexibility in leadership style.

As Kenexa's research demonstrates, leadership has a direct impact on business success and employee engagement.

So begin the change by asking yourself why anyone should be led by you.

The Kenexa Best Workplaces Survey is run in association with The New Zealand Herald and supported by KiwiBank and the Department of Labour.

The survey runs from 1 May to 31 August. Registrations open soon. Call us to find out more: (09) 378 2003.

www.jra.co.nz/bestworkplaces/