Image via CrunchBase
Last week I was inspired…
I had the good fortune to listen to two strikingly different yet exceptional leaders: General Richard Hillier, Retired Chief of Defense Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Forces highest rank and Sir Richard Branson, Founder of The Virgin Group.
I found it so interesting to hear a common theme in both their messages around leadership: respect for people.
“To be an effective leader you have to care about people. You have to make it personal”, said General Hillier.
“Having a personality of caring about people is important,” says Branson. “You can’t be a good leader unless you generally like people. That is how you bring out the best in them.”
What else was compelling was their “down to earth” nature. Both extremely accomplished people yet they never lead with their titles. Both leaders don’t take themselves too seriously.
They both have passion for their work. They are 100% committed to what they do. They know where they are going and they enlist other competent people around them, listen to them and let them take over- they delegate and truly empower them.
Define your leadership style. Respect the people who work with you. And take care.
