A great leader partners a tough mind with an understanding heart
A tough-minded leader needs also to be brilliant at utilising humanistic / people-focused skills to achieve – and exceed – all the objectives set. To do this you need to lead with these attributes:
- Tough-minded on focus and humanistic / people-focused in flexibility: great leaders need to focus to achieve success, but they must be flexible and agile in how to get the best out of people to be truly successful.
- Tough-minded about creativity and humanistic / people-focused in appreciation: great leaders know that creativity is the essence of innovation, but they must be people-focused enough to engage and embrace the imagination of others if they want to fuel the kind of innovation that means objectives will be achieved…or exceeded.
- Tough-minded toward vision and humanistic / people-focused in endeavour: great leaders know that, to be successful, they must have a clear, evocative and believable vision so others know the direction, but they must also encourage acts of courage, flexibility and boldness to ensure that their vision becomes a stunning reality – in double quick time.
- Tough-minded on standards and humanistic / people-focused about an individual’s values: great leaders understand you cannot compromise on standards; they also recognise that each person has their own values that those standards can be used to express and fulfil towards exceeding the company’s objectives.
- Tough-minded on accountability and humanistic / people-focused in admiration: great leaders know they must show results and be responsible, and accountable; they also know that an important aspect of their success is acknowledging and appreciating those who have helped them in delivering those results.
