You don’t have to be a genius to be a leader of genius!
- Author: Kevin Gaskell
- Word Count: 448
Read the news article
I have been leading companies for 25 years, You don’t have to be a genius to be a leader of genius! – my earliest challenges were to rebuild a broken Porsche brand and then to inspire the team at BMW GB to achieve a 500% improvement in profit while transforming the service levels of an industry.
Since then, Kevin Gaskell has founded start-ups, driven turnarounds and built companies in numerous sectors. Our teams have won awards and been recognised as some of the best in the world. They have also created over GBP 3 billion in shareholder value.
Now that the immediate shock of the pandemic is receding, we need to lead our teams in a way which encourages agility and dynamic growth. My view is that people are incredible. Ordinary people, led well, can achieve extraordinary results. I believe that people can be inspired to stop chasing immediate rewards but rather think about building something that lasts, creating something of which they are proud. The principles and techniques of inspirational leadership are transferable. I help leaders and teams to deliver them:
1. High performance begins and ends with engagement. The leader’s role is to establish a clear vision of success. Everyone needs to understand what success will look like, what it will sound like and what it will feel like. What will it mean for the customer when we get there? Everyone in the team has a role to play so we give them the opportunity to get excited and engaged.
2. Challenges are opportunities for growth. Address the fear of change by discussing the new status we are striving for. Evaluate carefully the opportunities and the marketplace and deal only in facts. Get excited together by being enthusiastic about the freedom to make real and substantial change. Invite team members to move quickly.
3. Make it easy for the team to contribute. Build a clear, but simple, plan. Share it. Invite comments and ideas. Excite the high performers to become leaders at every level in the organisation. Be totally inclusive of talent and ideas – let people dream! Communicate the successes of individual’s ideas and improvements.
4. Praise first, challenge later. Provide regular feedback. Make heroes of the high performing teams by praising their approach to a challenge. A positive approach can be transferable to other areas. Leadership is about creating a positive culture and letting the team run. It is not the end of the world if it goes wrong.
5. Recognise that people are amazing. Leading teams to high performance is about creating the belief that ideas and challenge are progress. Set a positive example, be approachable, consistent, and make champions visible. Positive belief is an energy which transfers to others.
Further articles you may enjoy:
- (62)
Speakers Inc, Los Angeles has available to present Keynote Speakers | Motivational | Leadership to open or close your next Los Angeles, California event or conference. Speakers Inc is a leading speaker Bureau that brings you excellent Speakers | Motivational | Leadership speakers that deliver keynotes over 500 times per year. Our culture speakers are […]
- January 21, 2023
- (12)
Pride Month 2025 Spotlight: Greg R. Baird – A Voice for Unity, Advocacy, and Authentic Change At Speakers Inc., Pride Month is not only a celebration, it’s a call to elevate voices that have long championed equity, inclusion, and community empowerment. This year, we are honored to spotlight Greg R. Baird, a nationally recognized speaker, […]
- June 6, 2025
- (9)
Leadership Hack: How Sticky Notes Can Help Your Career Sticky notes have been my savior. And I don’t mean in a “don’t forget the milk” kind of way. True, sticky notes are great for grocery lists, but what I’m talking about here is how a few small squares helped me become a better leader, and […]
- December 19, 2022
- (17)
Unlocking Success: The Power of Booking Top Keynote Conference Speakers in San Francisco Introduction: Conferences play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development. Choosing the right keynote speakers can significantly impact the success of an event. In the vibrant city of San Francisco, California, renowned for its innovation and diverse industries, […]
- January 22, 2024
- (17)
The move from individual contributor to people manager is more than just a title change. It’s a fundamental shift in how you create value. Where you were once measured by the quality of your own work, you’re now responsible for the success of others. And that shift comes with a whole new set of rules […]
- September 2, 2025
- (12)
In other words, workers burned out by the “hustle culture” so recently prevalent have decided to either quit their jobs — or perhaps even more damaging to businesses — disengage themselves from where they are working. In a brilliant article in a recent edition of the Wall St. Journal, Lindsay Ellis and Angela Yang reveal that what we’ve been […]
- December 22, 2022
- (15)
Mastering Nonverbal Communication: The Transformative Power of Body Language Coaching with Kristin Bock In our fast-paced, communication-heavy world, mastering the art of nonverbal communication can be a game-changer. Enter Kristin Bock, a body language expert and founder of Body Language Blueprints, who helps professionals leverage nonverbal cues to enhance their personal and professional interactions. In […]
- July 15, 2024
- (52)
Elevating the Customer Experience at Airports: How Airports are Enhancing Every Passenger’s Journey For travelers around the world, airports serve as the gateway to their adventures and journeys, but this Customer Experience at Airports can often be challenging due to stress, long lines, and crowds. In response, airports have started transforming their customer experience (CX) […]
- October 31, 2024
