4 Key Behaviors of Highly Effective Leaders
Cathie Leimbach • June 18, 2024
Great leadership begins with a mindset that fosters the success of others. This leadership mindset is pivotal for organizational excellence. It encompasses four key behaviors: being supportive, maintaining a strong results focus, considering multiple perspectives, and solving problems effectively.
- Leaders who are supportive build trust and encourage team members, creating a positive work environment.
- A strong results focus ensures that goals are met efficiently and effectively, driving the team towards success.
- By considering multiple perspectives, leaders can make well-rounded decisions, fostering innovation and inclusivity.
- Effective problem-solving enables leaders to navigate challenges swiftly, maintaining progress and morale.
McKinsey studies found that together, these behaviors account for 89 percent of leadership effectiveness, demonstrating that a balanced approach combining empathy, goal orientation, inclusivity, and strategic thinking is crucial for leading teams to success.
This mindset not only enhances individual performance but also cultivates a collaborative and thriving organizational culture.
Based on insights from James Hewitt's "Regenerative Performance" Something's not adding up in today's workplace. While companies demand more from their teams, the results tell a concerning story. Research shows that 50% of employees now show clear signs of burnout, and an alarming 73% feel disconnected from their work. James Hewitt, performance expert and author of "Regenerative Performance," points to a critical mismatch. We're asking people to perform at peak levels without giving them what they need to recover and recharge. Think of it like a smartphone. You can't expect your phone to run at full power all day without plugging it in. Yet that's exactly what we're doing to our workforce. We pile on meetings, deadlines, and pressure while cutting back on the very things that restore energy: breaks, development time, and meaningful connection. The solution isn't working less—it's working smarter. Hewitt's research reveals that sustainable high performance comes from balancing intense effort with intentional recovery. Teams that build in time to recharge actually outperform those that push through exhaustion. Smart leaders are already making the shift. They're protecting their people's energy as carefully as they manage their budgets. Because burned-out employees don't just hurt themselves—they hurt the bottom line too. Want to dive deeper into this issue? View The Burnout Crisis to understand the full scope of this workplace challenge. "Sustainable high performance comes from the rhythm of oscillation—not from the intensity of effort alone." —James Hewitt
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