Online Reporter
Rutendo Gwatidzo
Changing Perspectives
What is your team reflecting back to you? If you want to know the quality of your leadership, start by looking at your team.
One of the greatest misconceptions in leadership is believing that leadership is measured by titles, authority or years of experience.
In reality, leadership is measured by influence, and influence is revealed through the people we lead. Every leader has a mirror. Surprisingly, that mirror is not made of glass, it is made of people.
The attitudes, behaviours, commitment and performance of a team often reflect the leadership they experience every day.
For instance, a disengaged workforce, poor customer service, high staff turnover and declining productivity are rarely isolated employee problems. More often than not, they are symptoms of deeper leadership challenges.
The Story of Two Managers
Two branch managers were given almost identical teams, similar budgets and operated under the same company policies. Six months later, one branch was thriving.
Employees arrived early, customers were welcomed warmly and new ideas flowed freely. Unfortunately, at the other branch, absenteeism had increased, complaints were common and morale had dropped significantly.
Senior management initially believed the difference was the quality of employees. However, after conducting interviews, they discovered something remarkable. The successful manager listened before making decisions, celebrated small victories, coached struggling employees and communicated the organisation’s vision clearly. The other manager focused mainly on mistakes, rarely appreciated good work and led through fear rather than inspiration.
The people had become reflections of the leadership they experienced. As leadership expert John C Maxwell wisely said, “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.”
Organisational Status!
Your Team Is Always Sending Feedback. Many leaders wait for annual surveys to understand employee engagement. Yet every workplace sends daily signals.
- Is innovation slowing down?
- Are the meetings you are involved becoming quieter?
- Do employees avoid taking initiative?
- Has customer service declined?
- Are people doing only the minimum required?
Please note, these are not merely operational issues. They are valuable leadership feedback. A wise leader should always ask, “What is my team trying to tell me through their behaviour?”
Leadership Begins with Self-Reflection
African philosophy teaches us that community reflects the character of its leadership. Former South African President Nelson Mandela once said, “Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.” Great leaders are secure enough to empower others instead of competing with them. They understand that leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room but about bringing out the best in everyone else. Self-awareness is, therefore, one of the most valuable leadership competencies. Before correcting employees, leaders should first ask themselves difficult questions:
- Am I communicating clearly?
- Do I recognise and appreciate effort?
- Do I create psychological safety?
- Would I enjoy working for someone like me?
Sometimes the answers may be uncomfortable, but growth always begins with honesty.
Culture Starts at the Top
Every organisation has a culture, whether intentional or accidental. If leaders tolerate gossip, gossip becomes culture. If leaders reward excellence, excellence becomes culture.
If leaders demonstrate integrity, integrity spreads throughout the organisation. Culture is not what is written in policy manuals. Culture is what employees experience on a daily basis. There’s an African proverb that says, “A fish rots from the head.” The health of any organisation begins with the quality of its leadership.
Leadership is not about perfection. Every leader makes mistakes. What distinguishes exceptional leaders is their willingness to learn, adapt and improve. The strongest leaders invite feedback. They mentor others and admit when they are wrong. They remain teachable regardless of their position. When leaders grow, organisations grow. When leaders inspire, teams innovate and, when leaders care, people commit. Ultimately, people rarely give their best because they are forced to. They give their best because they feel valued, trusted and inspired.
Dear Leader!
The next time you walk through your organisation, observe more than productivity reports and performance dashboards. Observe the atmosphere and listen to conversations. Watch how people interact with customers and with one another. Your team may be showing you the clearest picture of your leadership.
Don’t try to be a perfect leader though, because you will never be. Be willing to be a continuous learning leader. Because when leaders change, teams change. When teams change, organisations transform. And when organisations transform, nations prosper.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is a human capital executive and managing consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy. She is a multi-Award winning leader, transformational speaker and coach. She is also the author of Born to Fight and Breaking the Silence books. Contact details – 0714575805/ [email protected] / Rutendo Gwatidzo_Official FB public page.
