Leadership Tips brought to you by the letter, "H"

THE FOUR H's OF LEADERSHIP

HOPE
Research by Harvard Business School shows that people want to see progress rather than receive recognition; they want to see they're making a difference and get a sense that things are getting better. The good news is leaders don't have to go too far to find hope in 2010. There is no doubt that the economy and general employment conditions are getting better so there is still plenty of reason for optimism and hope.

HUMANITY
This is best reflected in a company's CSR. It's about connecting with the community -whether through charity, demonstrating conscionable corporate governance, or using influence in a positive way. The corporate world is very powerful and its leaders need to recognise they can create positive outcomes for their employees outside of work. Afer all, companies are comprised of people and we all have a desire to better the lives of those around us.

HUMILITY
Humility means not being a celebrity leader and remembering what it's like to walk alongside your staff. If you sit in boardrooms all day you'll lose touch with your employees - the key is to never stray too far away from the shop floor. Some of the best-performing and more enduring companies have self-effacing leaders who are able to look in the mirror when things go wrong. They can take a good look at themselves, their decisions and their methods, analyse the situation, and look at how they can make a difference.

HUMOUR
Never lose the ability to have a good laugh at yourself. Leaders who relax and enjoy being at work put their staff at ease. Given we spend so much time at work, we should enjoy what we're doing. Laughter is particularly important for leaders because its effects cascade through the organisation. It's well documented that a happy employee is a productive employee.
[Source: Human Capital, issue 8.4]