SpecialFocus

by Myra Gercken-Thurston

utstanding leadership manifests itself in many forms. Historically many companies have been run by authoritarian leaders who brilliantly led their companies from the top down toward grand success. Although this traditional leadership style has yielded countless successful business ventures, today’s teams seem to respond best to a more contemporary leadership style. The most popular forms of contemporary leadership are the participative, authentic and transformational styles.

A traditional authoritarian leader drives the organization’s decision-making with directive power typically originating with a single dominant leader. This type of leadership is most effective when there is little room for performance errors, during times of uncertainty or when team members are unsure of themselves and benefit from close direction. However, when team members feel fear or resentment in response to this leadership, they will hesitate to give support or share ideas freely.

Collaborative management

In contrast to an authoritarian management style, several more progressive leadership approaches focus on collaborative management, supporting creativity and innovation. A participative leader personifies collaborative management. These leaders consult, concur and involve all team members in collaborative decision-making. Similarly, authentic leaders strive to lead through building honest and authentic relationships with their followers. Authentic leaders value team member input and foster relationships built upon an ethical foundation. They are transparent and promote openness throughout their team. Finally, a transformational leader works closely with their team members to identify necessary changes by creating a vision that supports the inspiration and execution of those changes.

What employees want

With a strong talent pool in such a limited supply, competition for excellent team members is fierce. In today’s competitive job market, the most desirable candidates are searching for a work team and environment that will allow them to be creative and to have an impact. This top talent strives to make a difference and, as such, is drawn to more progressive leadership styles. As this past year has shifted so many traditional business and work-life models, transformational leaders are poised to create an environment that encourages this desirable and progressive approach. A transformational leader encourages change not only for the organization but change for each team member. In high-stress environments, a transformational leader helps team members to identify needed changes by creating a vision of their end goal and then coaches the actions needed to reach those goals. During this process, transformational leaders influence and inspire their team to stretch and grow beyond any limits they believed possible. Through motivation and encouragement, a transformational leader helps team members become their very best selves.

Advice for leaders

While striving to lead in a transformational style, one of the most crucial goals involves managing the person and not just the employee. Often, traditional authoritarian leaders focus on the employee as they relate to the team’s productivity and contribution. Although those elements are undoubtedly critical, they are not the end-all in the eyes of a transformational leader. A transformational leader is also concerned with each employee’s goals, ambitions and personal aspirations. This leadership style invests in their team members and learns about their personal situations and ambitions. They ask questions and show concern. When a leader exhibits genuine interest and concern for their team members, it often results in a heightened level of commitment and engagement.

Impact on performance

People who feel valued and important not only look forward to going to work where their contributions make a difference, but they are also much more likely to give 100 percent to the team. Appreciated team members take ownership of their work and are proud of their output. As anyone in plastics distribution will attest, transacting business during the COVID pandemic was taxing on all essential front-line workers. As challenging as that time was, countless team members rolled up their sleeves every single day and did whatever was necessary to move material on demand. The volume of product received and shipped was unimaginable, and the urgency for shipment was unlike the team had ever experienced. However, none of that mattered; the team members continued to push on day after day to meet the demand.

This extraordinary performance was partly due to the team’s understanding of how critical they were to this process and how vital this barrier material was to help protect people during the pandemic. However, the team also worked diligently and selflessly because they felt genuinely cared for and appreciated.

Managing with a transformational or a participative style can be highly effective even during periods of high stress and uncertainty. Transformational leaders advocate change not only for the company but also for its team members. Supporting this goal means that the entire team participates in crafting the branch goals and objectives. Cross-training is also a priority, as is offering all team members the opportunity to learn new and different job functions. Encouraging and advocating for aspiring team members is also key to supporting team member goals and showing employees that they have value.

Showing care and concern

In addition to encouraging personal and professional change, another component often found in a transformational leadership environment is a true sentiment of care and concern for each team member. Opportunities to exemplify this care and concern can manifest in numerous ways. It might be providing for a team member who lost their home during a hurricane or ensuring that a first-time homeowner files for the critically important homestead exemption tax status. Sometimes it means sharing the “tricks of the trade” when filling out a FASFA application for a college-bound high school senior or volunteering to take the wedding photos at a team member’s wedding. Regardless of the gesture, the opportunity to show each team member that they are unique, essential and valued is critical for a successful transformational leader.

Bottom line: Greatness

When a leader coaches their team to be the very best they can be and encourages them to stretch and grow outside of their comfort zone, they send a message that the individual is just as important as the employee. When that level of commitment and caring is demonstrated through thoughtful and considerate gestures, team members feel valued and appreciated. A team that is valued, understood and appreciated is positioned to achieve greatness.

Myra Gercken-Thurston is the branch manager for the Daytona Beach, FL, USA branch of Piedmont Plastics. For more information, contact Piedmont Plastics at 5010 West W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28269-1861 USA, phone (704) 597-8200 or (800) 277-7898, fax (704) 598-7912, sales@piedmontplastics.com or www.piedmontplastics.com.