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:
- (5)
10 Lessons Learned and the messages I want to share with all of you. At the end of last year, I made the awkward decision to leave the world that had given so much to me, to pursue something that wasn’t well defined, yet oddly was clearly the right path for me to take. After […]
- December 14, 2022
- (81)
In the grand timeline of human experience, we are constantly navigating two forces: the pull of being More Attracted to the Past or the Future? Both shape our identity, decisions, and aspirations, yet they offer distinctly different perspectives on life. The past provides comfort, nostalgia, and a sense of grounding. The future promises excitement, possibility, […]
- December 20, 2024
- (9)
I have worked with corporate teams that measure Leadership Effectiveness and what seems like everything. My concern with these teams isn’t what they are measuring, but rather what they are not measuring – leadership effectiveness. Teams measure on-time delivery, sales call per day, employee engagement, and so many more useful metrics. I’ve even seen a […]
- December 22, 2022
- (3)
Four Reasons why do most successful employees manage their Personal Brands daily? It’s simple, really. They get the concept that every time someone has contact with you at work, outside of work, or on social media, one of two things happen: your Personal Brand is either strengthened or weakened by what you say or don’t say, and by what […]
- December 18, 2022
- (54)
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
- (9)
In the vibrant city of #1 Leadership Speakers San Diego, where innovation meets opportunity, the demand for inspirational and transformational leadership is ever-present. Whether you’re organizing a corporate conference, a professional development seminar, or a community event, the inclusion of dynamic leadership speakers can elevate the experience and leave a lasting impact on attendees. With […]
- March 14, 2024
- (11)
The Essence of Authentic Leadership: Embracing Genuine Influence with Erin Hatzikostas In an era where leadership is often synonymous with corporate jargon and pretense, the concept of authentic leadership emerges as a beacon of hope and integrity. Authentic leadership transcends traditional leadership paradigms by emphasizing transparency, genuine relationships, and a commitment to personal and organizational […]
- July 29, 2024
- (6)
Building High-Performing Teams: Lessons from Workplace Culture Keynotes In today’s rapidly evolving work environment, where remote and hybrid models have become the norm, team cohesion and morale are more important than ever. High-performing teams are the cornerstone of organizational success, driving innovation, productivity, and employee satisfaction. But what makes a team truly thrive? Insights from […]
- December 18, 2024
