Becoming a great Leader ..... it takes more than just reading books!

I’ve got a lot of leadership and coaching books (approaching 100) that I’ve collected over the years in my various leadership roles. My collection is quite diverse; it includes some well-known leadership texts like Jim Collins' Good to Great, Peter Senge's The Fifth Discipline, and Patrick Lencioni's The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team. It also features some lesser-known gems, such as Ray McLean's Any Given Team, Will Storr's The Science of Storytelling, and Nigel Collin's The Game of Inches.

Collection of leadership books

The Journey Begins

I started diving into leadership and coaching books early in my career. I had two main reasons for this. Firstly, I wanted to broaden my understanding of the various theories, views, and practices of leadership. Secondly, I was on the lookout for practical tips and tricks to help me become a better leader.

At first, I made progress with my first goal. However, I struggled with the second. Most of the books I read had excellent content, filled with theories, concepts, and models. Yet, many lacked practical details on how to apply these ideas in real situations. I was searching for that ‘perfect answer’; the practical approach that would yield immediate, positive results. It took me a while to realise that I was chasing a ‘pot of gold at the end of the rainbow’ (in my defense, I was still a young leader at the time!).

The Realisation

I soon recognised that becoming a good leader isn’t just about reading a lot of books and looking for a single perfect answer. The more I read, the more I discovered that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. As a leader, I had to sift through various leadership theories, concepts, and models to find what resonated with me. This would give me the foundational knowledge I needed to become the leader I aspired to be.

But even that wasn’t enough. Knowledge alone won’t make you good at anything. You need to put that knowledge into practice to hone your skills. For me, as a young leader, this was a dilemma. What if I got it wrong? I wasn’t just using woodworking skills to build a chair; I was applying leadership models with the aim of leading my team better. The worst-case scenario from a woodworking project could be a 'wonky' chair. But if I misapplied a leadership approach, the consequences could be far more significant!

Embracing Failure

I realised that to become a better leader, I had to become ‘comfortable’ with the potential for failure. This is a crucial point that often holds leaders back from improving. I was fortunate; despite being a young leader in a time before the current focus on psychological safety, my company fostered a positive workplace culture. I was encouraged to enhance both my performance and that of my area. With this supportive environment, I tested numerous leadership approaches, methods, and techniques. Some worked, and some didn’t, but I learned a lot from the failures and ultimately grew as a leader.

As I gained more experience and had junior leaders working under me, I dedicated a significant amount of time to encouraging them to develop as leaders. I aimed to create an environment where they felt supported and where it was ‘safe to fail’. Their growth depended on knowing it was okay if something they introduced didn’t work. Our focus was on extracting lessons from these situations, so we could apply that learning next time.

The Importance of a Supportive Culture

Interestingly, this approach wasn’t widely adopted by some of my peers in various organisations where I've worked. The absence of a supportive culture led to stagnation, retreat, or even turnover among other leaders.

So, I ask all experienced leaders reading this: what are you doing to foster a workplace culture where your direct reports feel it’s ‘safe to fail’? We all know that no one gets everything right the first time. Personal growth and failure are intimately linked. As Richard Branson noted, “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.” As leaders, if we're fearful of the consequences of falling, we’d never learn to walk!

Building a Culture of Learning

Creating a culture that embraces learning from failure is essential. It encourages innovation and risk-taking. When team members feel safe to experiment, they are more likely to share ideas and push boundaries. This leads to improved performance and a more dynamic workplace.

Encouraging Open Communication

One way to foster this culture is through open communication. Encourage team members to voice their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment. Regular check-ins can help create a safe space for sharing experiences, including failures. This transparency can lead to collective problem-solving and innovation.

Providing Resources and Support

Another critical aspect is providing resources and support. Offer training sessions and workshops that focus on leadership skills and resilience. Equip your team with the tools they need to navigate challenges. When they feel supported, they are more likely to take calculated risks.

Celebrating Efforts, Not Just Successes

Finally, celebrate efforts, not just successes. Acknowledge the attempts made by team members, regardless of the outcome. This reinforces the idea that trying and learning is valued. It shifts the focus from fear of failure to the excitement of discovery.

Conclusion

Leadership is a journey filled with learning opportunities. Embracing failure as a part of that journey can lead to significant growth. By creating a supportive environment, encouraging open communication, providing resources, and celebrating efforts, we can cultivate a culture where everyone thrives.

Let’s remember that the path to becoming better leaders is not about avoiding mistakes but learning from them. So, let’s take those steps together and unlock your full potential!

------