In the race to leverage technology for a competitive edge, organisations can sometimes overlook a key element: the power of effective leadership. Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, emphasises the value of strong teams, asserting that leadership’s role is to inspire and nurture talent. As she aptly put it, "A car is thirty thousand parts you're putting together."
Interestingly, while many expect the future to be driven by tech, Gartner's 2022 survey revealed the critical need for human-centered leadership. In their findings, 90% of respondents highlighted the importance of leaders who embody authenticity, empathy, and flexibility. However, only 29% felt their leaders demonstrated these qualities in practice.
In a world increasingly dominated by technological advancements, fostering employee engagement through these human values becomes even more essential. As the workplace continues to evolve, sustained leadership development is vital to ensuring continued business growth amidst shifting priorities.
Cultivating Leadership for Sustainable Success
Great teams aren’t a matter of chance; they’re intentionally crafted, starting with strong leadership. But what truly makes a leader effective in building a winning team?
Traditionally, leadership has focused on task management—delegation, meeting deadlines, and overseeing productivity. However, today’s employees seek more meaningful contributions in their work. To inspire and engage, leaders must cultivate environments where teams can thrive.
This evolving leadership philosophy recognises that the future of work isn't driven solely by technology or innovation—despite the transformative impact of AI and machine learning. Instead, it acknowledges the human element behind these advancements, valuing each team member’s unique skills, perspectives, and strengths. As Mary Barra suggests, the leader's role is to orchestrate these diverse components into a cohesive, high-performing team.
But because the business environment is a rapidly-developing one, leadership has to be an ongoing process that evolves alongside business needs and employee expectations. Whether this is within the healthcare sector or the food and beverage industry, working professionals seeking to step into leadership roles or enhance their current leadership capabilities will need to understand and apply these following elements for their benefits - whether through self-learning or corporate training.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
The most admired leaders are those who present technical prowess and emotional intelligence (EQ). And while the former is easily found in education, EQ is seen as a more elusive personal trait. However, many experts now know that it can be cultivated, and the Forbes Human Resources Council members highly recommend it for the positive effect it has on both teams and business outcomes.
In fact, according to an article by TalentSmart, when testing the quality against 33 other important workplace skills, emotional intelligence emerged as the strongest predictor of performance, explaining a full 58% of success in all types of jobs. Additionally, 90% of top performers possess high EQ, highlighting its relevance in leadership.
So how does this present itself at the workplace?
Balancing Priorities in Results and Relationships
Effective leadership is about striking a balance between achieving business goals and fostering strong, healthy team relationships. Leaders who focus solely on results may risk alienating their employees, while those who prioritise relationships can become overwhelmed by obligations that hinder productivity. The key lies in blending both aspects—driving performance while nurturing a supportive environment—ensuring that teams feel valued and remain motivated to deliver their best.
Emotional intelligence comes in at this point to assess that balance. When exercised, leaders with high EQ can successfully navigate this dual responsibility to lead high-performing teams that deliver consistent results - all the while maintaining a positive team dynamic. The best examples will go on to nurture thriving communities within the organisation, which in turn enhances employee morale, engagement, and loyalty for increased productivity and resilience. In those settings, adding defined goals and expressing clarity in vision can significantly produce a purpose-driven team with exceptional results for the business.
Much of this also requires a deep understanding of one's own emotions and processes, while keeping a finger on the pulse of those in your team. And at the centre of this, is effective communication.
Building Trust Through Transparent Communication
Transparency is one of the most underrated yet crucial aspects of leadership. In their 2024 Global Human Capital Trends, Deloitte found that 86% of leaders agree that the more transparent the organisation is, the greater the trust from their workforce. However with the demands of systemic processes, limited interactions, and scope confidentiality, it can be difficult to uphold, especially if one manages large teams.
To achieve transparency, leaders must focus on two key aspects of communication. First, they should use clear, straightforward language when conveying information, motives, and decisions. Second, they must ensure that critical details about decisions, results, strategies, and practices are openly shared with employees, customers, investors, and other stakeholders. Here are a few tips to support transparency:
- Share the "why" behind decisions: Explaining the rationale behind business choices—especially difficult ones like restructuring—helps employees understand the bigger picture and reduces anxiety about the unknown.
- Admit mistakes: Acknowledging errors demonstrates accountability and vulnerability, fostering authenticity and humility. This openness can inspire team members to do the same.
- Keep commitments: Following through on commitments, whether big or small, strengthens the initial trust placed by employees. Over time, this builds credibility and loyalty within the team.
Fostering a Culture of Feedback
A winning team cannot be built in isolation. Successful leaders foster a culture where feedback flows freely and openly, ensuring a two-way exchange between leadership and employees.
This is particularly important as the workforce continues to evolve, with new work scenarios like remote working and the growing presence of Gen Z in the workplace. According to Gallup, 80% of employees who received meaningful feedback in the past week reported feeling more engaged with their work and organisation. However, only 16% of the 15,000 employees surveyed described their last feedback conversation as "extremely meaningful."
To be effective, leaders must focus on providing recognition, offering constructive collaboration recommendations, optimising strengths, and dedicating adequate time for feedback conversations. On the other side, as suggested by Harvard Business Review, leaders can invite feedback by embracing difficult emotions during confrontations, asking specific open-ended questions, and listening with the intent to understand, not just to respond. To close the loop, it's essential to communicate the actions taken based on the feedback received, ensuring accountability and trust.
Empowering Oneself with Presence, Passion and Purpose
The final key to effective communication lies in its delivery. Leaders who present their ideas and themselves with an influential presence—one that inspires passion and purpose—can elevate their interactions with teams and stakeholders, ultimately driving higher performance.
A leader’s presence sets the tone for the team. By being approachable, engaged, and fully present, leaders can inspire through charisma. This involves showing genuine interest in team members' work, demonstrating empathy for their well-being, and exemplifying a strong work ethic. Authentic communication further strengthens these connections.
Passion is contagious. When leaders share their enthusiasm and celebrate team successes, they naturally foster a commitment to excellence. Offering opportunities for growth—through promotions or nurturing future leaders with skills like design thinking—further empowers teams.
Finally, a clear sense of purpose can unite and motivate people. Leaders who effectively define and communicate a compelling mission put everyone on the same path toward success. By clarifying the team’s role within the larger organisation, leaders can create a sense of ownership and accountability in each member, unlocking their full potential.
Are you ready to explore what it takes to build quality leadership? Discover how with SMU Academy’s Leadership and Management programmes.
