The Power of Connection

Published: 29th October 2024

The Power of Connection in Leadership

“Connection before genius.” [Matthew Syed – Rebel Ideas]

In our previous posts on the Escentia 6C framework for leading with intention, we’ve discussed leadership Clarity, Courage and Congruence. The next in the series is Connection – understanding the power of others to expand our thinking and performance. It is not enough to simply have a great idea or strategy, unless you are able to connect it to others with the right level of impact and influence.

Defining Leadership Connection

Effective leadership is not about having all the answers; it’s about understanding the power of connection and leveraging the collective strengths of those around you to create a culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and motivated to contribute their best. This approach expands thinking and performance and fosters a culture of shared success.

In times of ambiguity and stress, connection becomes even more essential for several reasons:

Better decision-making – in uncertainty, collective thinking often leads to better decisions and solutions.
Better outcomes – tackling challenges alone may not yield the best results, whilst collaboration allows for diverse perspectives and insights that improves outcomes.
Emotional support and vulnerability – are important traits recognised by effective leaders which help strengthen trust and resilience within teams.
Connecting to self – allows leaders to draw on insights from mind, heart and gut, helping the most relevant information to surface.

Practical Steps to Enhance Leadership Connection

Ask for Help: Great leaders know when to seek input and ask for help when needed. By inviting collaboration from their teams, leaders are able to tap into wider pool of knowledge and perspectives to enhance decision-making and problem-solving capacity. A more collaborative environment also fosters greater team engagement.
Embrace Vulnerability: Being a leader can be lonely, especially when tough decisions need to be made. By reaching out for emotional support and showing vulnerability, leaders build trust and create a more authentic, supportive work environment.
Connect with Diverse People by Prioritising Their Needs: Effective leaders build trust by understanding and prioritising the needs of others. This requires time, empathy, and flexibility, allowing leaders to tailor their approach and create meaningful, supportive connections that foster collaboration and trust.
Stay Connected with Stakeholders: Regular engagement with stakeholders (internal and external) provides leaders with valuable insights, helping them make more informed decisions and maintain strong relationships.
Encourage Positive Conflict: Foster an environment where healthy conflict and open discussions are used as a catalyst for growth and innovation. This drives better decision-making and enhances team collaboration.
Recognize When Others Need Help: Attuned leaders support their team members when needed, encouraging teamwork and promoting healthy balance. This results in more resilient, supportive and better performing teams.
Celebrate Team Success: Recognizing and rewarding achievements boosts morale, reinforces positive behaviours, and motivates teams to continue striving for excellence.
Pause: By taking time out to ground yourself and breathe can allow data to emerge from our minds heart and gut. The head might not always have the right answer.

At Escentia, we understand the importance of leading with intention and have developed a 360 assessment tool to help you and your team measure leadership connection and other essential leadership qualities. Learn more about the Escentia’s 6Cs Assessment.