Leaders are not born; they are made through experience, learning and a commitment to personal growth. As the heart of an organisation, leaders are not merely responsible for managing tasks and overseeing operations, but for shaping the company culture, fostering innovation and navigating through challenges. In the dynamic landscape of modern business, a leader’s ability to guide, inspire and motivate can steer teams toward unchartered territories and achieve remarkable results. So, what does it take to be a leader?

1 . Vision

A leader needs to have a clear vision that inspires and aligns a team towards a common goal. This vision provides direction and purpose, allowing the team to work cohesively towards success.

2. Communication

Leaders who prioritise communication skills can improve employee engagement, productivity and retention. Leaders need to articulate their vision, provide feedback and listen actively to their team members. When leaders talk openly and honestly, it helps everyone trust each other and work better as a team.

3. Adaptability

In a rapidly changing world, leaders must be adaptable. They should be ready to embrace change, pivot when necessary, and lead their teams through uncertainty with confidence. Leaders who can navigate through change and uncertainty with a clear sense of purpose can steer their organisations towards sustainable success. The pressures placed on businesses in recent years have forced the need for digital transformation at a pace that would have previously seemed impossible for most organisations. Even if your business primarily focuses on in-person services, you need to make the digital approach a priority by adopting new technologies to streamline your business strategy and ensure scalability.

3. Empathy

Understanding and valuing the perspectives and feelings of team members fosters a positive and inclusive work environment. Empathetic leaders can connect on a deeper level and motivate their teams effectively. In June 2023, Australia’s richest man, Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, gave $5 billion to Minderoo Foundation, the charity he started with his wife in 2001. The organisation focuses on many areas – from community projects and ocean research to ending slavery and collaborative efforts to fight cancer.

5. Resilience

Challenges are inevitable in any business journey. Resilient leaders remain steadfast in the face of adversity, learning from setbacks and using them as stepping stones to success. Melanie Perkins, an Australian billionaire and founder of Canva, was rejected by 100 CEOs before finding her first investors. Founded in 2012, Canva is an Australian global multi-national graphic design platform that is used to create social media graphics and presentations. Leaders who possess resilience not only inspire their teams but also create environments where individuals can learn, grow and contribute meaningfully.

6. Innovation

Encouraging innovation is crucial for staying competitive. Leaders who foster a culture of creativity and experimentation can drive their teams to come up with groundbreaking solutions. Westfield has been at the heart of Australian retail innovation and development since Frank Lowy and Jeno Schwarcz (later John Saunders) formed a partnership in the mid-1950s. Both holocaust survivors, they arrived in Australia with next to nothing and built an empire. One of Lowy’s innovations was to move beyond shopping centre development and, by controlling the ownership and management of the centres, create a long-term, institutional-grade business. Another innovation was to see the shift, in the late 1990s, to retailing in “flagship” malls, often in the city centres with strong entertainment attractions, which benefited from changing demographics and mass transit links.

7. Collaboration

At Mansfield & Co Recruitment, we understand the essence of leadership. We believe that leadership is not confined to a title; it’s a mindset. Our team specialises in identifying individuals who possess the qualities needed to lead and inspire. Whether you are an organisation seeking exceptional leaders or an individual aspiring to lead, we are here to help you find the perfect match. Are you looking for top talent? Mansfield & Co Recruitment is here to assist organisations in finding and securing their ideal candidate. A significant advantage of engaging the services of a specialist recruitment agency like Mansfield & Co Recruitment is that job seekers will often trust third party endorsements more than those that come straight from the source. With years of experience in matching the right person to the right job, our award-winning recruitment team are experts in recruiting and know exactly what best motivates our candidates. We take the time to get to know your business and its culture, so all the candidates we send to interview will already have a positive and honest impression of your organisation. Visit our website to find out the roles we specialise in. You can also check out our candidate profiles and Facebook page.

To book an in-person coffee meeting with Mansfield and Co director Melanie Mansfield, click here. If you have a question for Melanie Mansfield and her team, phone 08 8463 1198 or email admin@mansfieldandco.com.au

References

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2023/04/04/why-we-need-resilient-leaders-to-tackle-the-future/?sh=43f6b33544a1

https://www.afr.com/property/sir-frank-lowy-combined-mall-mastery-with-constant-innovation-20171213-h03nva