Simmone Cruz: Group Presentation 1,000 Word Essay

 

Analyzing Effective Leadership Traits, Communication Styles, and Problem-Solving

 

Leadership is critical to the progression of any business, project, or task. In business, influential leaders can help develop and maintain cohesion, commitment, and positive working relationships. According to Forbes, employees who feel heard are 4.6 times more likely to perform their best, and highly engaged teams show 21% greater profitability — that's a significant impact on any business' bottom line. Effective leadership and communication play a critical role in the success potential of any business, group, or project. 

 

Leadership Best Practices

While there are various traits and skills that makeup today's great leaders, 5 are key to effective leadership. A good leader should support their group, help interpret ideas between group members, mediate conversations, and relieve tension when it arises. In addition to providing guidance, direction, and inspiration, leaders nurture the strengths of those around them to pursue a common goal. In general, great leaders uplift and motivate those around them instead of basking in the spotlight. 

 

The saying "Lead by example" couldn't be truer for business leaders. In their commitment to the entire group's success, leaders encourage input from all members, keep discussions on track, and pull their weight when completing individual assignments. Employees, colleagues, and even superiors alike will notice business leaders who take the initiative to lead by example. Employees want to work harder for leaders who are willing to fight in the trenches with the rest of their teams, no matter their title, tenure, or stature.

 

Meetings are a perfect opportunity for leaders to step up and shine and demonstrate to their teams that they're truly willing to lead by example. An effective meeting brings a group together for a specific purpose, provides an open forum for discussion, and delivers a tangible result (e.g., decision, list of ideas, shared understanding of next steps). On the other hand, in many cases, meetings can be a waste of time. So, leaders need to recognize when there's no need to meet for items that could easily be shared in an email. Fewer and/or shorter meetings result in higher productivity and employee satisfaction, both of which impact a business' bottom line. Leaders can maintain a pulse on the business by preparing, properly managing, and ensuring proper follow-up steps are taken after each meeting. 

 

Another way to demonstrate excellence in leadership is by acting as a solutions-oriented thinker rather than simply pointing out flaws or imperfections in how business is conducted. Good business leaders are expert problem solvers who work diligently to identify the problem and then simplify it so that all members understand the root cause. Once the group understands the challenge in front of them, the team can develop actionable solutions and implement them. Now, this process is easier said than done. Often, groups will have to brainstorm multiple solutions, which can create a more collaborative environment and ultimately yield the best options possible. This process helps the group identify the highest quality solution and encourages all members to participate and express their ideas, a win-win situation.

 

Regardless of if the decision is made by a vote, majority rule, unanimous decision, etc., leaders can help guide group members towards a single decision. There might not be one right answer in some cases and groups can decide to take a two-pronged approach. Once a decision is made, leaders can help implement it and bring it to life by determining who does what, a cadence for revisiting progress, and how to communicate the results (written or oral). It's pretty normal to A/B test ideas, track progress, and then use that data to guide what to do next. 

 

When Culture and Communication Collide

 

Culture plays a critical role in our ability to communicate effectively. Communication styles differ greatly depending on the environment in which you grew up. Many variables make people  — and their communication styles — unique, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age/generation, and disability status. 

 

Culture impacts everything from how we see the world to how we learn to how we communicate and express our feelings. Societies typically fall into one of two buckets: individualistic (western) and collectivist (eastern). Individualistic cultures, like the US, Canada, and Australia, value competition and personal achievement. Self-expression and self-care are highly encouraged, and privacy is of the utmost concern. In these societies, the individual comes before the community, particularly regarding one's personal wealth, family, or possessions.

 

Meanwhile, collectivist cultures focus on community and the group's well-being over an individual's needs or desires. These cultures are usually very loyal to their communities, hold shared interests, and seek communal harmony. Material possessions, resources, and experiences are freely shared between members of these communities.

 

Because each culture has its own way of communicating, merging different cultures can be difficult, and good leaders should always be aware of this. Low uncertainty cultures, like the U.S., Sweden, and Denmark, tolerate uncertainty, accept unpredictability, take risks, and don't place a high value on rules. On the other hand, people living in high uncertainty cultures like Portugal, Greece, and Peru want to maintain control over their environment, are less tolerant of outside ideas, and are sticklers for rules. 

 

Several other cultural differences set individuals and groups apart, including whether the culture is masculine or feminine, has a high or low power distance, and whether focus lies in short or long-term reward orientation. 

 

To communicate with people from all backgrounds and cultures, one must develop intercultural communication competence. Without understanding the context of who you're speaking with, it might be challenging to have an impactful conversation. What might make sense to one person may not necessarily make sense to another. 

 

Takeaway:

 

Group Leadership & Problem Solving

 

This presentation was helpful in a variety of ways. It's great to now be able to recognize the difference more clearly between leaders who take the driver's seat in their roles within businesses versus those that don't take the time to lead by example. I can take this knowledge and apply it to any current task or future challenge by stepping up, being a problem solver, and making sure my teammates feel supported and heard. This presentation will help me think more critically about how I can be a better leader and teammate within the workplace and in life in general.

 

Culture & Communication

 

It's important to always consider the unique factors that makeup someone's personality or background, such as sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, and so forth, before making judgments or forming opinions of them. Creating space for everyone to express their ideas freely and be their authentic selves leaves great opportunity for innovation, healthy work environments, and happier people. The diversity and uniqueness of each individual make the world such a fantastic place. Everyone can play a part in creating a more accepting and inviting environment for all people, no matter where you're from, what you believe in, or how you see the world.