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:
- (16)
Empathy in Action: The Key to Building Stronger Teams In the evolving landscape of leadership, empathy has emerged as a critical superpower for leaders. With the rise of hybrid work models, globally distributed teams, and the need for inclusivity in diverse workplaces, the ability to genuinely understand and connect with others is no longer optional—it’s […]
- November 19, 2024
- (106)
The Dark Side of Motivational Speaking: When Inspiration Becomes Manipulation Motivational speaking is a billion-dollar industry, built on the promise of transformation, success, and boundless personal growth. Audiences flock to these high-energy events, hoping for that one insight that will change their lives. But beneath the surface of encouragement and empowerment lies a darker reality: […]
- February 3, 2025
- (24)
Elizabeth McCormick’s journey to becoming a renowned speaker is rooted in her remarkable career in the military. As a Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, she faced challenges and triumphs that shaped her into the inspiring leader she is today. Rising through the ranks to become Chief Warrant Officer 2, Elizabeth honed her skills in leadership, resilience, […]
- June 24, 2024
- (9)
Ouch!’Death by PowerPoint.’ That’s the commonly used term. Yet Mr Gates’ programme itself is not inherently evil and why you can do better without slides. Jim Nelson, a man who served as a translator between the American and Russian troops in Bosnia, tells a story about the Russians watching with bemused fascination as their unlikely […]
- December 23, 2022
- (32)
THE NEUROSCIENCE OF GENEROSITY is an interesting beast. As a charity CEO, I have seen it expressed in many different ways. The best kind of generosity comes with warmth and good old NSA – no strings attached. This kind of generosity is glorious to witness and is the backbone of charity work all over the […]
- January 16, 2023
- (7)
The Ultimate Guide to Speaker Bookings in the West End Entertainment in Los Angeles Introduction: Los Angeles, a city renowned for its glitz and glamour, is not only the entertainment capital of the world but also a hub for West End Entertainment in Los Angeles-style performances that captivate audiences with their mesmerizing productions. In this […]
- January 8, 2024
- (9)
Getting absolutely clear about HOW TO UNCOVER YOUR PASSION is critical to your success as an entrepreneur. You want a passion that you are willing to shout from the rooftops—that you’ll share with everyone, even strangers at a cocktail party. Why is identifying your unique passion so important? Because to UNCOVER YOUR PASSION is fundamental to your […]
- January 23, 2023
- (12)
Make Your Email Subject and Content Fun, Compelling, Curious, and Commanding To Get Quicker Responses that Pay Off! By Joy Baldridge Have you ever been surprised or frustrated by how few return emails you receive when reaching out to your prospects and customers/clients? Responsiveness is at an all-time low. Everyone is overwhelmed and inundated with emails. […]
- December 19, 2022
