Buzzwords Defined: Leadership

As we’ve discussed, every industry and discipline has its unique language, with terms that might resonate in one workplace but leave others puzzled. Leadership is no exception. As organizations evolve, so do the concepts and terminology surrounding leadership.

Below, The Clearing’s leadership expert and coach Anna-Ruth Beckman sheds light on some of the leadership terms currently resonating with our teams in the field.

Empowerment. Focusing on giving team members the autonomy and resources they need to make decisions and take ownership of their work.

If possible, partner with your team members to help design their jobs to align their roles and responsibilities to their passions and strengths, while still fulfilling overall team and organizational goals.

Agility. The ability to adapt quickly to changes and new information, fostering flexibility and responsiveness in leadership.

Reconnect with your personal and organizational “why” to keep the bigger picture in mind amongst ongoing changes and competing priorities. Create time to revisit your “why” regularly, such as monthly.

Resilience. The ability to recover from setbacks and stay focused on long-term goals despite challenges.

In times of calm, find time to build your informal relationships with colleagues you don’t interact with regularly, so when difficulties arise, you have relationships across the organization to quickly mobilize resources when needed. A quick coffee meet-up, or Zoom check-in call can go a long way.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Understanding and managing your own emotions and those of others to build strong relationships and make better decisions.

Your mood and energy impact the group’s performance and the success of your organization including the success of any given meeting. Take the time to get clear (even 30 seconds) about what tone you would like to set for a meeting before it begins.

Inclusive Leadership. Valuing diversity and fostering an environment where all voices are heard and respected.

Create a sense of safety for your team members – start by asking what individuals need to feel comfortable sharing their perspectives. Check out Judith H. Katz and Frederick A. Miller’s work on Conscious Actions for Inclusion: A Common
Language to Drive Uncommon Results.

Servant Leadership. Prioritizing the needs of the team and focusing on supporting and serving rather than your priorities and interests.

Set up feedback mechanisms (think surveys, regular 1:1 meetings, etc.) to maintain an understanding of what your team needs and how to make their jobs easier.

More on Leadership

Just as leadership terminology evolves, so do the skills leaders need to thrive in the modern workplace. Our team of leadership experts are ready to help you stay ahead of the curve with leadership training options, coaching, and more. If you would like to learn more, reach out anytime.