Leaders have always been celebrated for the results they deliver. For many years, it was single-focused. In the business world, it’s shareholder returns; in government, it’s growth; in the nonprofit space, it’s funds raised.
What actions and traits delivered those results? Being number 1, 2, or 3 in your sector. Meeting customers’ needs. Highly efficient operations. But also, a cutthroat focus on delivering that efficiency with a heavy dose of leadership-centric, almost selfish behavior from the boss.
Joe Davis, managing director and senior partner at the Boston Consulting Group and former head of BCG in North America, says that the often-cited heroes of business drove the numbers, led from the top, and built command and control organizations.
The Flipside: The Generous Leader
In his book The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain, Davis explains why, in today’s disruptive world, leaders need more than technical skills. “Yes, you must deliver results,” Davis says, “but people today want generous leaders who will work to see beyond themselves–you must learn to lead with your heart. Being vulnerable with your staff is intimidating, but connecting with your people will not only help you grow as a leader and a person, but will grow your business as well.”
As Davis explains, there have been, of course, many great leaders who were admired and respected for taking a broad view. They focused on the numbers but also cared deeply for people and were concerned about their company’s impact on the community. “They existed, but this type of generous leader, who put their heart at the forefront of their leadership, was rarely visible,” Davis attests. “This broad view of leadership was not in fashion and was not considered a model for success.”
There are four key attributes of being a generous leader.
1. Be Prepared and Do the Deep Thinking
Do not assume you know what others might bring to a meeting or conversation. Avoid mentally putting them in the box in which you typically see them. “Really think and understand what others might be thinking, why they are doing the things they are doing, why others should care about your point of view, what you are bringing that is value-added, or why a plan might not work for other people,” Davis says. “Think about these in advance, and then give others the respect of valuing their time and knowledge.”
2. Connect Personally and Deeply
Communicating to connect may not come naturally, especially as we start our careers; we think more about conveying the information and facts we believe we must get across. But Davis argues that you can get those facts across and still be true to yourself and your message. In fact, with all the skepticism out there, communicating that you care and making deep personal connections when delivering important messages is essential to building better-connected teams. This becomes essential to leading your organization to greatness, given that you cannot do it alone.
3. Be Curious
Generous listening is about setting yourself aside to make room for the way someone else is thinking. It’s an openness and an active setting aside from our own experiences and beliefs to believe in another way of being, another person’s way of seeing the world. Of course, you can never fully understand another’s experience, and claiming to can be hurtful. Consider that you don’t know what you don’t know. As you ask and try to understand another’s point of view, be attuned to whatever information, facts, and insight they can offer that can be added to what you do know.
4. Welcome Everyone
When you have an opportunity to bring others into a conversation, you are inviting collaboration. You are recognizing the value of another’s contributions. In this case, Davis means all voices. “Those at more junior levels, who have relevant expertise, those in different parts of the organization who have perspectives unique to your team, and those from diverse backgrounds and life experiences who are often left out and will bring a richness to the thinking,” said Davis. This practice can happen at any leadership level. It’s less about hierarchy and more about valuing input.
When you connect deeply and personally with your colleagues, show humility, and be genuine, you can better understand their perspectives and uncover what you don’t know about them. By infusing your heart and humanity into your leadership style, you will become a more generous leader, and the people you manage will become free to perform at their best. The ultimate outcome will be more effective contributions from all to your organization’s purpose and mission.
