Experts speak on leadership
Leadership is Everyone’s Responsibility
We work in a knowledge based economy, says Adam Sandman describing the software that they build at Inflectra used by customers in many complex industries like Life Sciences, Health Care, Manufacturing, Defense, etc.
People are expected to go to many trade shows beyond the job responsibilities where they have to engage with customers in various industries. It is “leadership” that allow these people repeatedly learn to listen to customers and integrate such valuable feedback into meaningful solutions to solve this need.
Adam further summarized a successful example where they added a Risk Management module in the application based on one of his team members that repeatedly voiced the need for this module as a valuable benefit for customers. Aligning the needs of industry and customers with the product demonstrates leadership is everyone’s responsibility.
Adam Sandman
Chief Executive Officer, Inflectra
When we bring people into the company, we’re not looking for people just to do a job or follow orders as it were, but to actually bring their experiences and skills, and their understanding of the industry demonstrating leadership by example.
Leadership focuses on Continuous Learning
Reflecting on an example from his experience, Dudley Backhouse said, “In my experience, I’ve probably learned a lot more from my mistakes than necessarily my successes.” Learning to let go off the ego and pride and being able to trust the subject matter experts closer to the problem is a lesson about leadership.
Only when we listen better to our teams, we can open up new channels and opportunities for the organization itself. Often, innovation does not come from the top leadership but from somebody very close to the problem.
When we think we need to have all of the answers, we need the opposite sometimes. That is actually best listening skills, says Dudley Backhouse emphasizing from his example of the importance of continuous learning to demonstrate leadership.
Dudley Backhouse
Founding Partner, SAESO
I look for not necessarily the competency, but more of the behavioral aspects. From my perspective, it is about productivity. In developing influence and delivering through others, if you are unable to motivate and inspire others and and bring others along with you, then, you are not demonstrating leadership.
Everyone is responsible for the Culture
Just because your title says something, it does not mean that you are not responsible for the culture. It is true that senior leadership may set the direction for the organization but it not senior members of the organization that always is responsible for the culture.
Jim Lux extends an example from his experience on how one person in the team demonstrated the leadership for establishing an encouraging environment for the unit showing that “culture of excellence” is everyone’s responsibility.
“The mindset should shift from failure of leadership to failure of individuals to demonstrate leadership, ” summarizes Jim Lux highlight the importance of leadership at all levels in the organization.
James Lux
Vice President, Ascend Wellness Holdings
Yes, the top level leadership needs to set the culture for the rest of the organization. At the same time, there has to be support from all levels of management. But, the culture of excellence must start from everyone in the organization.
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What People are Saying
“Great Discussion”
This was a fantastic discussion on leadership. As a project manager and team leader myself, this was a great opportunity to listen and understand how others in different roles view leadership and the roles it plays.
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I’ve always thought that leadership was only a top-down approach, but this webinar has really expanded my thoughts on leadership. I’m excited to see what insight the other two webinars in this series will bring.
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An excellent opportunity for me to learn about leadership as it applies to an industry I am not part of.
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“Good Panel and Speakers”
The session was well moderated and good questions included. The speakers were very good and shared good insights.
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