Taking Your Leadership From Toxic to Transformative

When it comes to positive and productive company culture, we all it starts from the top down. If there’s a lack of genuine leadership within a business, it can effect everything. And we mean everything.

How often do we visit a restaurant or chat with a customer service rep only to leave frustrated and despondent because of tone or negligence? 9 times out of 10, we walk away blaming management. Why? Let’s say it again: a lack of genuine leadership within a business can effect everything.

When was the last time you evaluated your leadership as a business owner? Let’s take it even further: when was the last time you asked your team to evaluate your leadership? #yikes

To really transform a company and stand out within your industry, leadership is where it all begins and ends. If it’s been awhile, it may be time to take a step back and analyze some wins and some areas that need a bit of finesse.

Here are a few key elements of genuine and effective leadership that will take your company culture from toxic to transformative!

1. Transformative leaders always have one eye on the big picture.

What do we mean by big picture? It’s the WHY behind every move you make as a business. You hire employees and contractors to cover the day to day, the short term goals, etc. And while it’s important that you track these details, as a leader your job is to keep everything in line with the original vision. That foundational WHY is what will calm in times of crisis. It’s what will motivate in times of apathy.

As a leader, keeping the heart of your company at the forefront will transform culture and restore faith. That heart has the ability to spark innovation and creativity. It’s the backbone to every decision, every risk, every win. So mind it well and speak of it often! Ensure your team knows why they’re here and why they matter, then watch what it does for overall productivity and passion!

2. Transformative leaders always make you feel safe.

When it comes to company culture, your team has to feel safe coming to you with wins and losses. Whether it’s a merchandising slip-up or a personal issue effecting their performance, they need to know that you are available. What does availability look like as a leader? It’s an open mind, a listening ear, and a wise response. Many times, you may not be able to give them what they’re asking of you, but more often than not, the simple act of listening and empathizing will set a foundation of trust and care.

If there is a problem, you want to create a work environment that’s collaborative in it’s solving vs. isolated judgment. If an employee is terrified to come to you with an issue, then it will likely take longer to solve or grow in capacity. Creating a safe space for your team starts with you. Lead by example!

3. Transformative leaders are mentors.

This is one of the most overlooked parts of leadership when you’re in the trenches of building a business because, quite frankly, it takes a lot of time and intention. But wow, is it worth it in the end. Taking the extra time to mentor team members will not only increase company retention, it will save you that time spent down the road. It’s the age-old concept of teaching a man to fish.

Mentorship is what truly impacts. It’s what moves the engine forward and keeps employees feeling valued and seen. It’s what helps you, as a leader, discover the potential in others, making it the most rewarding part of the job. Make the time. Be intentional and integrate a mentorship culture into your team. It l starts with you!

There are so many different facets of leadership, and as a business owner, if you haven’t picked up a book or a podcast on this topic, now is the perfect time! Focusing primarily on facts and figures will result in just that. But if you want quality company culture, leadership has to become a study.

Let it start with you. Keep your eye on the vision, the WHY, and share it with your team as much as possible. Create a safe place for employees to learn and grow in a collaborative environment. Lead with mentorship and encourage your team to pay it forward. You can do this!

If you’re about to launch your new business and need some direction on how to integrate that WHY into your team culture and branding, we’ve got you covered! Let’s chat about how we can help you develop a brand that showcases the heart behind your business, a brand that connects from team to audience!