In this episode, we explore the essence of conscious leadership in modern business. From the evolving role of technical expertise to the critical balance between engagement and productivity, we delve into the adaptability required for effective leadership. Learn how to maintain a balanced approach, avoiding stress and fostering productivity in different business environments. Tune in for insights that will help you become a more aware and effective leader.

Introduction

Good morning, good afternoon, wherever you are. I’m sitting up here on the clifftops at Ben Buckler again, and boy, it is seriously cold, seriously cold. There’s a young lady, I don’t know how old, 13 or 14, walking around here with a T-shirt and shorts. And I’ve got down jackets and polar fleeces and long pants and warm socks, and goodness gracious me. So yeah, well, we all handle the temperature differently, I suppose. There’s dolphins here today, which is a bit of fun. And I can’t see any whales, but it’s a beautiful blue, clear sky, and the ocean is dark, rich, navy blue, and wow.

Today, I want to talk about inspired or conscious leadership. This discussion will cover various aspects of leadership in modern business, from the evolution of technical expertise to the importance of understanding and adapting to different business environments.

The Evolution of Leadership

Differentiating yourself as a leader or as an individual in the world of business was once primarily based on technical expertise. You were the greatest technician, the one who understood strategy the best, or the one who mastered cost production lines. However, much of this work has now been outsourced to consultants. Interestingly, consulting firms are shrinking, trying to remain profitable. They are transforming their intellectual property into mechanized systems, another term for AI.

This shift means that technical differentiation as a person is becoming less defined. Therefore, the new differentiator is our capability in our role as leaders. This is where conscious leadership comes into play.

The Intersection of Engagement and Productivity

The concept of engagement, often promoted by HR, suggests that higher engagement scores correlate with increased productivity. However, this is debatable. Many people find that the less they are forced to do, the more engaged they become. The question remains whether this engagement is productive for the company.

Conscious leadership involves understanding that the systems under which we operate have commercial, social, and emotional biases that may not necessarily align with productivity. For companies with high-profit margins, such as software firms, the cost of employment is minimal. This allows them to foster highly engaged environments.

Conversely, for companies where the cost of labour is a significant part of the product cost, over-employment and unproductive behaviour can greatly impact profitability. Therefore, the approach to leadership must differ based on the business environment.

The Role of Conscious Leadership

A conscious leader must vary their tempo based on the environment. In low staff-cost environments, leaders can afford to focus on engagement. However, in high staff-cost environments, leaders must prioritise productivity.

Changing a company’s culture to match a different model is rare and often impractical. For example, in a pharmaceutical company where the cost of staff to sales is trivial, changes in government policies forced a shift in strategy.

The adaptability of a conscious leader is crucial. They must understand the broader picture and avoid implementing strategies that do not align with the company’s culture. Micro-leadership, where a leader creates a small enclave of culture different from the main organisation, can be stressful and often unsuccessful.

Maintaining Balance as a Conscious Leader

Conscious leaders need to be aware that their thoughts and emotions are transmitted to their teams. Therefore, maintaining a level head is crucial. It’s essential to limit the time spent in high-stress situations and balance it with periods of relaxation.

For the average person, spending six hours of focused work, with one hour at the sharp end of decision-making, allows for a more balanced existence. The remaining hours should be used for recuperation and reshaping.

Working from home can blur the lines between work and personal life. Therefore, it’s vital to add up the hours and ensure that there is adequate time for relaxation and recovery.

Conclusion

The key to conscious leadership is being awake and aware, avoiding fatigue, stress, and anxiety. By maintaining this balance, leaders can remain effective and lead their teams to success.

Remember, the path to effective leadership is not a straight line. It requires adaptability, understanding of the business environment, and a focus on both productivity and engagement.

Thank you for joining me in this discussion. Until next time, keep it real, keep it messy, and keep practising. See you soon!