The need for courageous leaders and how to be one

Adam Grant talked about how leaders can unlock their own as well as their team’s full potential and achieve greater things by fostering a culture of psychological safety. Leaders must encourage experimentation and learning, which allows team members to unlock their full potential. Grant stressed that leaders should prioritize growth over ego, embracing vulnerability as a strength. By normalizing help-seeking behaviours, teams can thrive, with “givers” learning to ask for advice and “takers” practicing generosity.

Liz Weissman’s exploration of leadership styles highlighted the difference between “Multiplier” leaders—those who amplify the capabilities of their teams—and “Diminishers,” who limit potential by relying solely on their own intelligence. Even well-intentioned actions can inadvertently diminish a team’s effectiveness, so it is essential for leaders to cultivate an atmosphere that encourages collective growth. So, are your leaders geniuses or genius makers?

Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae discussed the importance of self-leadership for CEOs and C-level executives. Authenticity and continuous self-development are vital for effective leadership. CEOs must balance being caring with the ability to make tough decisions, emphasizing the need for accountability and results over rigid job descriptions. To achieve success, we need to focus and to improve leadership. It starts with self-leadership to be authentic and know who you are, then continue to develop yourself and your teams.

Morten Hansen outlined the five disciplines of courageous leaders and how you use discipline to focus, execute and innovate. He stressed that discipline is as crucial as talent for success. He argued against traditional long-term planning in favour of a culture of experimentation, which can lead to innovative solutions. Leaders need a strong ”yes” to say ”no,” and they must maintain consistency, focus, and pace as they lead their teams.

Steven van Belleghem highlighted the importance of customer-focused leadership. Leaders need to understand and meet customer needs, fostering transparency and trust both internally and externally. Being agile and responsive to customer feedback is essential for maintaining competitive advantage. Instead of asking your customers to be loyal, ask how you can be loyal to them!

Will Guidara shared insights on enhancing customer experience in the restaurant business through genuine human connection. Leaders should scrutinize every touchpoint in the customer journey, ensuring that interactions create lasting value and make customers feel seen and appreciated. Be solution-oriented and take what you do seriously but not yourself.

Björn Wahlroos and Dr Mario Draghi gave an economic overview, explored, and discussed the current state of competitiveness in a global economic landscape and in Europe. European business struggle to scale up and innovate to be more competitive, needs to collaborate more to position ahead of US and Chinese competitors.

Bozoma Saint John uncovered the secrets of the best and biggest brands. She emphasized the courage it takes to maintain consistency and authenticity in brand messaging. You need to know what you want your customers to think and say about you. Leaders need to understand that their brand reputation exists regardless of their active efforts, making it vital to prepare for challenges that may arise.

Chris Voss introduced negotiation tactics for business leaders that underscore the importance of understanding in communication. By focusing on listening and asking open-ended questions, leaders can create a safer space for dialogue, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding.

Kim Scott talked about fostering collaboration through radical candor, a framework that helps to understand great feedback. She promotes a balance of caring personally and challenging directly. Leaders are in general not trained or encouraged enough to embrace discomfort in giving feedback, ensuring that conversations lead to growth rather than defensiveness.

Brené Brown shared her thoughts on cultivating meaning and connection. She highlighted the significance of vulnerability in leadership. Recognizing one’s fears and uncertainties is crucial for personal growth and fostering an environment where team members feel secure enough to take risks. What is your go-to armour/behaviour when you feel fear? Is being a “knower” more valued than being a “learner”? Having a skill set is not enough. Instead, we need a shift in mindset, reskilling, and a tool to address fears and be more daring as leaders.

Courageous leadership essential for leading change 
So how does courageous leadership help us to lead in change? It helps manage uncertainty and builds trust in the team, promote new ideas, address challenge, and inspire commitment. Psychological safety, trust, and openness encourage team members to share their thoughts without fear, leading to better communication and collaboration. This boosts engagement and commitment to the change process, successful outcomes, and business result.