How 3 unconventional leadership principles can transform even the most traditional management styles + (Templates)
(and why your team will thank you)
👋 Hello, I’m Carlos, and welcome to my newsletter, “The Holistic Leader.” Raw notes from an Agile Coach. Share your questions with me here, and in exchange, I'll provide practical, grounded, and clear advice.
In the rapidly changing landscape of today’s workplace, leadership demands more than just a command of business acumen.
It requires a deep, human-centered approach.
Today I want to talk about how these unconventional leadership principles are proving to be the keystones for thriving teams and organizations.
I've been around the block enough to see the old ways of leading just don't cut it anymore.
The world's changed; the workplace has too.
It's not about barking orders from the top anymore.
So, what real leadership means now?
leadership for me in 2024, It's about just 3 things.
—Get real with your team.
—Understand your team.
—Letting them see the real you (flaws and all).
This piece is my no-BS take on what actually works in leadership today.
Forget the corporate speak; I'm talking about leading with empathy, staying curious, and not being afraid to show a little vulnerability. If you're ready to ditch the outdated playbook and try something that might actually make a difference, this is for you.
Empathy Over Authority Forget being the boss who knows it all. It's about getting where your team is coming from.
Check in on them, for real. Not just about their tasks, but how they're doing—really doing.
Try "Empathy Map"it's about figuring out what's going on in your team's heads and hearts.
Curiosity Before Decisions Ask questions before making calls. Get everyone throwing ideas around, no matter how out-there.
Use the "Five Whys" to dig deep and find out what's really behind the problems you're facing. It's about getting to the root of things together.
Vulnerability as Strength Show you're human. Share your stumbles. It breaks down walls and gets everyone talking about the tough stuff without the fear of looking stupid.
Start a "Failure Forum" where messing up is not just okay; it's part of how you all learn and grow.
Here are some of my favorite tools to make this happen
Download the templates:
Miro Template
Note: make a copy and start editing on your own miro board
Weekly Check-ins & Empathy Map Template (Excel)
Idea Brainstorming “FIVE WHY’S”: Make brainstorming sessions that actually lead to breakthroughs and don't just tick a box.
Note: make a copy and start editing on your own miro board
'Failure Forum' Guidelines: A step-by-step to turn screw-ups into something you can all learn from.
Quick Implementation for a 'Failure Forum'
Here are the key points to implement it!
1. Setting the Stage
Formula: Define clear objectives + Invite diverse participants
How to Do It: Send an email or memo detailing the purpose of the meeting, emphasizing the non-punitive nature and goal of shared learning. Use a sign-up sheet or digital platform to encourage participation from all team levels.
2. Ground Rules
Formula: Establish rules + Secure agreement
How to Do It: Begin the session by clearly stating the ground rules. Have participants verbally agree or sign a document as a commitment to these guidelines.
3. Agenda Preparation
Formula: Agenda clarity + Participant engagement
How to Do It: Share the agenda in advance with time allocations. Request volunteers for case presentations ahead of the session and prepare a schedule that includes time for discussion.
4. Sharing Sessions
Formula: Structured storytelling + Time management
How to Do It: Use a storytelling framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Learning) for presentations. Set a timer for each sharing to ensure adherence to the time limit. The moderator plays a key role in keeping the session on track.
5. Reflect and Learn
Formula: Reflection questions + Actionable steps
How to Do It: After each case study, use guided questions to facilitate reflection (e.g., "What could have been done differently?" or "How can we prevent this in the future?"). Conclude with a brainstorming session for actionable steps that can be taken.
6. Closing and Feedback
Formula: Summary of learnings + Feedback collection
How to Do It: The moderator summarizes the key points and learnings from the session. Use a digital survey or physical feedback forms to gather participants' thoughts on the session's effectiveness and areas for improvement.
7. Follow-Up
Formula: Action implementation + Progress communication
How to Do It: Assign a team or individual to oversee the implementation of learned actions. Regularly communicate progress and outcomes to the team, potentially in follow-up meetings or through company communication channels.
This concise guide ensures your 'Failure Forum' can be quickly adopted, promoting a culture of openness, learning, and continuous improvement.
In essence:
Authentic engagement with your team
Deep understanding of team dynamics
Embracing and sharing your authentic self
It's not just leading; it's connecting, understanding, and revealing the human behind the title.
-Carlos ✌️
✍️ Quote of the Week
"Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge."
- Simon Sinek
📋 Last Week Post
Making People Awesome
Carlos Garcia