Exceptional Leadership Hinges on One Human Behavior
Decades of leadership study and coaching reveal a key differentiator for exceptional leaders: treating people as valued individuals.
After decades of studying leadership and coaching executives, one behavior consistently separates truly human leaders from others. Inc. Magazine reports that exceptional leadership boils down to a simple, yet often overlooked, principle: treating people with profound respect and dignity.
The article suggests that many organizations have historically treated employees transactionally, where an individual's value is based on their output or performance. This approach can lead to strained relationships and employees withholding their best efforts.
In contrast, exceptional leaders recognize and honor the humanity of each person. They understand that employees have lives outside the company, with their own needs, challenges, and aspirations. The leader's responsibility is to provide support and an environment conducive to success.
Drawing on decades of experience as an executive coach, Marcel Schwantes observes that one of the rarest, yet most human, qualities of an exceptional leader is seeing and treating another person as a valued human being. This principle applies whether leading a five-person startup or a Fortune 500 company.