One of the most important things we can do as human beings is connect to one another and work toward shared goals. We are all interdependent on each other for society to function and for us to reach goals — in fact, one could argue that humanity's greatest accomplishment is the collaboration that has led to advances in technology, science, art, and more. As a leader, the most important thing to me is to build bridges between people and develop their skills so that they can feel fulfilled in contributing toward a team goal.
I started my own career as a teacher, even while I was still a student. My first jobs were tutoring and assistant teaching, and eventually I became a university lecturer. Teaching is an important form of leadership given the power dynamics between students and teachers, and the classroom is a place where adapting styles and approaches to the needs of individual students is key to successful outcomes. A teacher is not measured by their best student, but by the performance of the group as a whole.
My career transitioned when I became aware of the enormous resource gap for companion animals in shelters, and I decided to get involved in the no-kill movement. I this role, I developed different kinds of leadership skills as I learned how to advocate for animals and how to organize groups of people to take collective action.
Leadership in the 21st century recognizes the importance of putting people first and views the leader as the instrument for the development of teams toward goals.
No longer is the archetype of a leader the dominant, patronizing tyrant who reaches outcomes through fear of punishment, but rather a subtle influencer who is able to motivate followers to work together toward shared success.
In order to create a harmonious team, it is important to foster psychology safety, so I have fostered my own skills in emotional intelligence, assertiveness, and teaching others effectively in order to be a strong communicator and connector. Different situations call for different approaches in leadership, so situational awareness and flexibility are also crucial skills for a leader to judge the best methods for individual people and situations. Some tasks and followers call for more explicit instructions and support than others, and it is up to the leader to forge the right path forward.
"A person who feels appreciated will always go above and beyond what is expected." -Amy Rees Anderson
Ultimately relationships are the best predictors of long term success, and modern leaders should aim to develop relationships of trust and respect with all of their followers, taking the time to get to know them as individuals and learning what motivates them. By showing interest in followers and giving them tailored opportunities to grow and advance in their careers, leaders can build teams that go above and beyond the basics of what is asked of them, and avoid the pitfalls of burnout, turnover, and apathy.
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