What is leadership at scale?
Short answer: one more subject that isn’t taught in schools but should be. With the potential to elevate development, this kind of conscious leadership has to do with evolving to match the expansion and evolution of a business or industry.
As a leader, you are at the tipping point, with a mass of moving parts holding you there. Leadership at scale deals directly with considerations of engagement, innovation, sustainability, flexibility and more.
What this means for leaders:
Consider traditional methods as bookmarks in an unfinished book; tried and true successes will not guarantee future accomplishments. As businesses and conversations mature, so does the mission roadmap to get to the endpoint. And this holds true for the size of a team, too. With a goal in mind, a group can collectively collaborate and navigate changes in the name of success. In an established space, it can be difficult to propose new ideas or strategies, and sometimes even the good ones will be shot down for the sake of staying true to the past. But today’s cultural conversation is all about breaking molds and welcoming new voices; as a leader, these can be your most valuable assets.
How can you apply this?
Anyone will tell another that communication is key in relationships. When it comes to leading a team, establishing a common language and shared values will not only save time, but will help each member lock into their role, exercise their talents and feel comfortable asking questions.
In any scenario, a leader needs mutual trust with their team. Giving someone, newcomers included, the space to do what they do best will relay your confidence in their abilities, encouraging them to grow and contribute their best. Sometimes, the best leaders are the ones who know when to step back.
Showing up as a leader usually starts with building the right team. Uniting talents for a shared vision is the first example of you as a role model. It doesn’t stop there – throughout the process, continuing to advocate for team members and initiatives will empower your cohorts to find solutions and learn from mistakes. Being present, respectful, optimistic and passionate will help you level up against complexity and change.
