When I work with leaders, they are usually very clear on what they want to achieve. For an entrepreneur they could be seeking support in communicating the launch of a new product, a CEO may want to develop employee engagement techniques to lower attrition or a budding politician may want to work with The Change Arc to help them navigate the routes to influence to get them elected.
Regardless of the outcome and whoever the leader is, I consistently find that there are a number of small (and sometimes more significant) eureka moments along the way. These become fundamental personal development moments - much more than what many of our partners bargained for.
Simon Sinek has revolutionised a lot of leadership thinking in this space. You will hear a lot of people talking about their why. It is a rabbit hole that I absolutely advocate entering. Taking the time, looking deep into your formative experiences to understand what your core values are and refine what drives your values is very rewarding, it will supercharge your communication game. A certain eureka moment.
But the book that Simon Sinek wrote was called ‘Start With Why’. It wasn’t called ‘Spend All Your Time Talking About Your Why’. So once you have got your why defined, what is your plan to develop narrative around, what Sinek calls - your how?
I always view your how as your unique ways of getting shit done, quite simply your strengths. A leader’s strengths are their unique talents and abilities that enable them to accomplish their goals, and understanding and communicating these strengths is crucial when inspiring people on the journey of change.
When leaders understand their strengths and can align them with their driving values, they can demonstrate the fundamental principles that guide their behaviour and decision-making, and they help to create a sense of purpose and direction for the change effort. This alignment demonstrates their authenticity and commitment to the change they are seeking to achieve, which instils trust and confidence in those they are seeking to inspire.
Knowing your why allows your values to create a shared space to engage, having the plan on what you want to achieve is naturally important. But knowing the unique strengths that you have and how you lead and deliver is crucial, yet overlooked by many.
Your inner circle, and those you seek to inspire (customers, employees or an electorate) want to know how you are going to lead them. How you execute plans, how you influence, how you build relationships and how you think. This helps to build credibility and trust with those you seek to inspire.
It makes it easier for them to get on board with a big idea or your ten point plan. As they know they can put their trust in you to deliver and bring them on the journey. Invest some time in understanding your strengths, connect them with your values and develop strategies to communicate them.
In our work with our partners we use proven techniques to help them identify their strengths and to align them with their driving values. Through self-reflection, feedback, and development, we empower leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to lead their team with confidence and purpose.
If you’re interested in a chat about how to add strengths to your values-led communication strategy, please get in touch in all the usual ways.
Rob Griffiths is the Co Founder and Managing Partner of The Change Arc, a strategic communications agency and community dedicated to unleashing changemaker potential. Following an entrepreneurial journey on the global stage for over 15 years, Rob is committed to building a community of mentally fit change makers, shining a light on the dark side of leadership, whilst promoting values and strengths led leadership.