Leadership is an iceberg


Leadership is an iceberg

Leadership is often compared to an iceberg —what’s visible on the surface is just a small part of the leadership story.

The visible tip represents the outcomes: decisive actions, confident leadership and successful outcomes. But below the waterline lies where the work gets done, learning loops, values alignment and resilience. These are my 3️⃣ tidbits on leadership for you to ponder over:

1. Learning Loops

I’ve learned the importance of learning loops to continuously improve. It’s not about being right all the time, it’s about continuous learning and adapting your thinking to drive the best outcomes for your team and your organisation.

2. Values alignment

Values aren’t just words; they’re the foundation that guides our most critical moments, especially when it comes to self and leading others. They have helped me when I refer back to when I am at my lowest. It is something I spend a lot of time with my coachees and mentees working out and it’s important to work out yours!

I have created a document to help you work out yours (check out the Subscriber Reward Zone below).

3. Resilience

As a leader, scenario planning and stress testing your leadership strategy and scenario planning is a fundamental practice that you and your team should undertake. Preparing for multiple future scenarios and pressure-testing your strategies against megatrends and the changing contextual environment can give you flexibility to change tack in your leadership. This approach enables you and your team to act confidently even in volatile environments and builds resilience in your leadership and your team.

Thought Provoking Quotes on this week’s topic

Brian Tracy

Leaders think and talk about the solutions.

Followers think and talk about the problems.

Mahatma Gandhi

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

Further resources

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Leadership session at the Australian National Audit Office

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