Brave Leaders are Innovative
What does it look like to be a brave leader? And what benefits stem from that type of leadership?
It's a topic I've been exploring with colleagues, friends, and clients over the past few months, and I'm excited to share some of my insights and experiences. I had the privilege of working for several courageous leaders during my thirty-year corporate career, and I've learned valuable lessons while striving to lead my own teams with bravery.
I've witnessed firsthand the extraordinary growth and success that radiates from brave leadership, both for individuals, companies, and the people they serve. Over the next few months, I'll be sharing six key characteristics of these role models, hoping to inspire you to reap similar benefits for those you influence, both professionally and personally.
Here’s the first one - brave leaders are innovative.
They aren't afraid to challenge their teams to dream big – and then to dream even bigger. They embrace change, development, and new ways of thinking. They know how to demonstrate this characteristic to foster trust and safety, encouraging those they lead to suggest improvements. They aren't afraid of being outshone; instead, they're confident that new ideas have the potential to elevate the entire team's success.
At RE/MAX International, innovation wasn't just encouraged; it was ingrained in the company culture. As a franchise development consultant, I was expected to find new ways to support and recruit franchisees, celebrate their successes, and build relationships. It started with the founder who knew no boundaries and then trickled down to my courageous bosses. Want to build an exciting brand by racing cars; launching a satellite network; creating a contest for professionals to hit golf balls the farthest; or flying around the world in a hot air balloon? No problem. Want to make an entrance with a lion on stage in front of 10,000+ agents at a convention? Let’s do it! Daring to dream was a huge part of that organization when I was there, and it kept all of us engaged and working hard to accomplish the impossible!
Regardless of your company's size, team dynamics, or tolerance for innovation, here are some fundamental ways to demonstrate this characteristic of a brave leader:
Encourage creativity: Foster a culture where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, no matter how outlandish they may seem. Ask your team how things could be done better often!
Embrace failure: Innovation often involves taking risks, and that means there's a chance of failure. But a brave leader sees failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Ask yourself if you are truly willing to take calculated risks.
Experiment and iterate: Don't be afraid to try new things and learn from your mistakes. The best way to innovate is to keep experimenting and refining your ideas. Don’t forget to debrief and document both your successes and failures so you can learn from history.
Empower your team: Give your team the authority and resources they need to innovate. If you encourage innovation, you need to back it up with the ability to try out ideas.
Celebrate success: Recognize and reward innovation to encourage it. You could even create a team contest or name the “innovator of the month”.
Are you brave enough as a leader? I can help you unlock your full potential and become a more courageous, confident leader with a three-month coaching package. Together, we'll explore your strengths, identify your blind spots, and develop a personalized strategy to help you achieve your goals. Click here to set up a discovery call to see how I can help!
