What if “leader” rhymed with (talent) “developer”?

Prove yourself exemplary

If your desire is to become the boss one day, stop to think about who will be entrusted to your care. Be aware that, if you slow down, they will stop; if you sit, they will lie down; if you doubt, they will lose hope. But if you walk before them, they will outpace you; if you give them your hand, they will give you their life; if you believe in them, they will work miracles.

Being exemplary and passionate are essential qualities for a leader, because the example is still the best way to influence someone. A leader is, above all, someone impassioned who leads and carries a collective, a team.

In fact, several studies show that employee motivation is often correlated to the leader's demonstrated ability to do (or have done) the work requested. This ensures that the leader understands the challenges of the work and inspires respect in those currently undertaking it.

Promote essential skills, identify areas of progress

For some, leadership is an innate skill, while for others, it is the result of learning. In both cases, the leader must look for the way to value their employees and not settle for the authority of their own position. Being recognized by one's team is often more rewarding than being recognized by one's superiors, even if both are satisfying... In fact, it is the team who validates one's own skills in terms of pedagogy, exemplariness, subject mastery, and, often, empathy with employees.

Know how to give objective, constant, and enriching feedback

To reaffirm yourself as a leader, feedback is essential...provided you know how to give it.

For this, I believe a leader should be fair and balanced; that is, they should be sincere and know how to say when things go right or wrong, with the same intensity.

When I speak of “sincerity,” I refer to various aspects:

• Sincerity should not be tied to any emotional connection. Therefore, feedback should be based on objective facts. For example: “You’ve been late every day since last week.”
• It is also important that the leader express themselves in first person to make clear the impact of the situation on the boss and the company. For example: “Your tardiness gives me the impression that you neglect your work (boss’s perception), which affects the project's progress (impact for the rest of the team and for the company).”
• Finally, if feedback is fed by clear and solutionoriented explanations, and provided in a friendly way, a harmonious relationship is maintained with the employee. For example: “Could you explain why you’ve been arriving late? That would help me better understand the situation. Do you think we can find a solution that allows you to reach your goals and those of the team?”

A leader should be fair and direct, but the truth is not always easy to say (or to hear), so a leader must also be moderate, know how to measure their words, and, above all, know how to propose solutions. The dialogue should serve to specify objectives. It is best not to wait too long.

Regular communication with the team helps maintain harmony. Waiting months before talking with an employee can lead to a buildup of topics to be discussed and make the meeting that much more difficult.

In summary, if you are a manager but want to become a leader, you should become an influencer for your team by being exemplary, developing talent, and valuing the strengths of each team member.

Paul-Hervé Blanc, Senior Manager, Strategic Management Division (France)