20 Leadership Tips From 20 Years of Learning

We’re celebrating our 20^th anniversary! Over the last 20 years we’ve supported hundreds of businesses to grow their teams, develop, support and lead their people to build successful businesses. It goes without saying during those two decades we’ve learned an awful lot about how to engage teams and get the most out of people resources. When you do this you gain so much back from your employees in the form of productivity, commitment and motivation.

To mark this special milestone in the P3 story, our Managing Director Charlotte Dean shares 20 things she’s learned about being a leader. Which one/s resonate most with you?

1. Look after yourself physically and emotionally

This is at number one for good reason. As a leader, you are of little use to your team or your business if you are not mentally and physically well. Good health and wellbeing is the foundation of personal and professional success.

1. Remember you work to live, not the other way round

Take time to switch off. Try not to take work home with you and don’t answer non-urgent emails or calls outside of working hours (see point 18!). Colleagues are replaceable, family is not. You are important to other people away from work so enjoy your time with them. Your workplace can and will function without you. 

1. State your values and live by them

If you have organisational values, demonstrate these in your attitudes and behaviours at work. When you lead by example, your team will follow suit. In smaller organisations, decide on the values that are important to you and help your team to understand how these shape your expectations of them at work. 

1. Be prepared, in every sense so you don’t waste time

Boring as it may sound, you become more efficient and effective in your role when you are organised and establish processes and systems to get things done. In the long run, being organised now will save time in the future.

1. Delegate where you can

Being able to delegate tasks not only takes the work off your desk, it empowers your team and builds trust with them. It’s a sign of strength to step back and admit there is someone else capable of doing the job.

1. Listen more than you speak

Listening is a core communication skill, yet many leaders are lacking in this area. You can learn so much from sitting back and observing conversations, interpreting body language, and actively listening to and processing the true meaning of what you hear.

1. Organise yourself with good systems

Implement effective systems and be prepared to change them as you grow. Automate tasks where possible to lighten the load (and keep an open mind about AI. It isn’t a threat to your job).

1. Review your own role profile and that of your team every year

People change, priorities change, organisational goals change. Role profiles should reflect the evolving nature of people and business and be reviewed to keep work exciting and people motivated to contribute.

1. Have regular 121s with your team: prioritise people over outputs

Focus on your team first and work outputs second. One-to-ones should involve more than a quick ‘How are you?’, ‘I’m fine’ at the start of the conversation. Aim for a balanced conversation around the person and their performance. 

1. Have someone objective you can talk to and who will really listen

Whether you choose a coach, mentor, friend or relative, having someone you can rely on to really listen to you and give you objective feedback is invaluable. We all experience times when we need a fresh perspective on making decisions or developing ideas.

1. Laugh every day

There’s nothing like a really good belly laugh to reduce stress levels. Plus, laughter uses fewer muscles than frowning, so it’s much kinder on those pesky wrinkles!

1. Avoid working excessive hours, you won’t be effective

There will always be times when you need to put in a few extra hours, but don’t make a habit of it. Working extended hours over a long period of time will put a strain on your health and wellbeing. A tired leader is short-tempered, makes poor decisions, and is of little use to their team.

1. Change the things you can, accept the things you can’t

Strengthening your listening skills (see point 6) will help you to understand where change is needed. Where things are open to change, make it happen. Don’t expend energy on complex situations you cannot change. You won’t get the time back; admit defeat and move on.

1. Spend your energy wisely

As a leader you need to choose how and where you focus your own resources. Delegating tasks (see point 5) will help you to focus your energies where you can make the greatest difference. Remember, you can’t do every task or play every role in your business. 

1. Surround yourself with genuine people

I’ve been lucky to have recruited a team of talented, knowledgeable, caring people who are as committed to delivering for our clients as I am. They’re also people I enjoy spending time with. When you surround yourself with genuine people, it doesn’t really feel like coming to work.

1. Have a dog! (other pets are available)

Pets keep us on our toes and remind us to enjoy the simple things in life. The have a constant calming presence and show us what unconditional love truly means. Dogs also motivate us to exercise more, which benefits our overall health and wellbeing.  

1. Ask for feedback, receive it graciously, and act on it

Consider feedback as an opportunity to improve. Take a step back and really listen to what the person is saying to you. Be open to the possibility of change rather than defensive to criticism. 

1. Take regular holidays (and don’t log on when you are away)

Travel broadens your horizons, takes you out of your comfort zone and gives you headspace to think clearly. When you take a break your stress levels reduce and you come back feeling refreshed and ready to take on the next challenge.

1. Accept that you can’t do everything for everybody

In a perfect world, we’d all be the perfect leader, manager, parent, husband, wife, partner, daughter, son... the list goes on! In reality when you try to be everything to everyone you end up in burnout. Learning to say No is very liberating. 

1. Be the best version of yourself

When you wake up each day, aim to be your best self and treat others as you would like to be treated. Aim to have no regrets at the end of the day.  

And finally, a bonus tip for good luck...

1. Never stop learning

When we stop learning we stand still. Keep an open mind, don’t be afraid of change, and seek out the learning and development that you and your team need to achieve your goals. Learning keeps us fresh and motivated.

Further reading and listening

For content on a similar theme, check out our People Lounge podcast on Generational Leadership in the Workplace, our free guide to The Importance of Learning and Development, and this blog on Adaptive Leadership.

How we can help you

As always, if you require guidance on HR matters, get in touch with us today on 0161 941 2426.