Oct 21
Discussing Leadership in the Context of 4 Tips by Richard Branson
The best leadership practices are often obtained through inspiration and example.
I’ve talked numerous times about leadership.
I’ve discussed what it’s all about, I’ve described famous leadership strategies, and I even focused on some of the most important leadership theories out there. Certainly, discussing leadership is, by all means, a pleasant activity — it allows you to go deep into people’s virtues, skills, and willingness to unite and support other people toward achieving their goals.
Oftentimes I’ve witnessed people asking how can they become leaders. And while being determined is great, I also think observing other people’s experiences is one of the most important learning aspects. One can be a natural at leading, but this doesn’t mean they don’t need improvement in some of their interpersonal departments.
Because, in reality, successful leadership comes from a certain set of interpersonal skills — they are the fundament on top of which an aspiring leader can begin building more and more qualifications and expertise.
So in today’s article, I decided to get back to the leadership topic, again sharing useful tips. This time, however, I’m focusing on Richard Branson — perhaps one of the symbols of leadership in today’s world. Let’s see what his experience as a successful leader can teach us — who knows, perhaps some of you will find some quite useful information that can be further implemented in your own leadership journey.
Leadership is closely related to role modeling
I’m a big fan of transformational leadership.
To me, being able to inspire someone and teach them how important it is to actually love what they do is perhaps the best part of managing and leading a team. But what’s important here is that it always comes down to role modeling.
Think about it: How can a person be a successful leader if they fail to be a role model for the people they are in charge of?
When in a group, people are gathered by similar interests, goals, skills or desires. Essentially, that’s the perfect amalgam in a professional setting. But there are times when people seem to lose touch with their motivation and professional aspirations. Those are the times when a role model is needed in order for everyone to stay on the right track.
The figure of the leader, especially in transformational leadership, always relate to being an example — via the work you do, the relationships you maintain in the team, the understanding you provide, and the support you offer to those in need.
Of course, leaders themselves can often lose touch with their inspiration and motivation — after all, we must not forget that they are also people with their own sets of problems and issues. That’s why it’s important for leaders to also seek constant inspiration, especially for the moment they’ll be needing it the most.
So, without any further ado, let’s observe 4 tips by Richard Branson which can definitely come useful in a moment of despair or obstacles down the road.
4 Richard Branson tips on leadership that can easily change your perspectives for good
Richard Branson is definitely one of the most famous and inspirational leaders in today’s history. I doubt anyone who expresses interest in the field hasn’t heard of him.
With that being said, today’s article’s goal is not to get you acquainted with Richard Branson’s persona; rather, its focus is mainly on useful tips that he has shared throughout the years. Each one of these tips can definitely be implemented in the daily life of the leader.
- Richard Branson speaks about the importance of being a great listener
In team management, a leader should always pay close attention to what the members have to share.
Sadly, there are still boss figures out there who perceive team leading as a one-sided process of giving away orders. Of course, this couldn’t be any further from the truth — essentially, being a great leader is closely connected to offering support. But, in order to be able to offer support, you first need to listen closely. Listen to what the employees have to say in terms of feedback, complaints, and what makes them happy. That’s a great way for anyone to quickly understand the reality of a situation and then can react in a proper manner.
2. Richard Branson advice us to always have a notebook nearby
Another concept that Richard Branson describes as crucial in leadership, is taking notes wherever and whenever you can, especially while talking with someone. Instead of interrupting, write down everything that arises as questions and ask the participant once they finish expressing themselves.
Also, taking notes is a great tactic for not ever forgetting something important that comes to mind. Imagine being enlightened by a great idea only to forget completely about it. It would be quite a shame!
3. Putting people first or the empathetic approach
There is a close connection between successful leadership and empathy. Being empathetic toward your team is possibly the best way to create and maintain meaningful and positive working relationships. This way every leader can take care of the working environment — relationships built on trust, mutual respect, and communication promise to thrive and establish themselves in the long run.
4. People’s weaknesses are not necessarily their enemy
I’ve written an article that embodies the concept of embracing your weaknesses. When a person is aware of their weak spots, they instantly become invincible to failure. Why? Because, on one hand, this knowledge allows them to educate themselves and improve their skills. On the other, this helps them see potential failure for what they truly are — additional experiences that help us grow. Branson shares that hiring employees with complementary sets of skills helps the company grow and combine each individual’s strengths.
Summary
At the end of the day, being a leader is not an easy task but with the right mindset and skillset, people can achieve so much. Taking inspiration from role models in the field can be incredibly valuable in the long run — this way people can easily find purpose and sense in what they do and, essentially, learn from the best.
