by Paula White
Can we agree that PEOPLE are more effective when they are in a good mood and LEADERS are in a good mood when goals are achieved? So, how do we keep leaders in a good mood, so people/employees are able to achieve remarkable results?
The Answer: EFFECTIVE BALANCED LEADERSHIP!
Paula White, author of Side B: Remix Your Leadership Style, discusses that effective leadership is developed through two things: a self awareness journey and a musical mindset. She goes on to add, Effective Leadership, either remote or in-person, is also a balance of skills, competencies, and natural behaviors.
Realizing that the work environment is in constant flux and employees are overwhelmed, she works with the next generation of leaders. She works with those emerging and high-potential leaders, who are now faced with a need to understand when their employees have the behavioral competency to work remotely. Now, there is not a software program or technology that is 100% dependable; therefore, asking leaders to simply “rely on” guessing or micro-managing, will not work. Both are inefficient methods of leadership. The question then becomes, how do leaders overcome this challenge to move forward ensuring trust and productivity remain high, work-life balance is appropriate, and employees (and leaders) are successful remotely?
The Answer: a self awareness journey.
As leaders, it is important to find the right balance to perform, execute, and behave at their absolute best. To do that, it’s important for leaders to find their own unique beat, their right tempo, and lean into what she refers to as your Side B Behaviors.
Think of it like this:
- Side A – Dominant traits, resumé-based skills, all the work leaders do with strategy, budgeting, negotiating, and revenue growth.
- Side B – Supportive traits, emotional-based skills, people, and relationship skills that she often refers to as the, “hidden hits.”
When leaders are self aware of their behaviors, competencies and skills, their Side A & Side B begin to become balanced, and they bring their whole self to a career they enjoy. They also develop as an effective leader.
Looking from the lens of a remote leader, what are the competencies and behaviors to manage effectively? Through her work with the Harrison Group, Paula looks to help leaders manage productivity and communication. She helps them to lead with enjoyment and identifies their behavioral traits to help them do their job. She adds, to manage productivity, it is important to look for behavioral traits such as: wanting to lead, taking initiative, enthusiastic, embracing challenges, and holding others accountable, with a positive behavior. Managing communication is collaborating and influencing others who work remotely. It is also having the ability to guide and coach from a distance, being objective, and receptive to others’ views. A balanced leader is both straightforward and respectful.
A second element for Effective Leadership is the musical mindset. Music is a universal language and taps into the whole brain, both the right and left brain, the analytical and creative sides of the brain. Paula encourages leaders to do the same to become the effective leader that the work environment is craving. This means taking a, “both/and” approach rather than an, “either/or” approach to leadership.
But how does a musical mindset help us as leaders? Here are a few examples:
- In times of crisis: Music can offer clarity and focus.
- In times of preparation: Using the right music can help you focus on the task.
- In times of growth: Creating your playlists can help you avoid becoming emotionally numb and instead create a space for trust.
- In times of celebration: You can let the music resonate within your accomplishments.
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