Do you really need trust to lead?
Florin here, your guide through the intertwined worlds of technology, engineering, and influential leadership. 🙂 Let's talk about the silent undercurrent of every great innovation and team dynamic: trust. One thing I am learning is that the bedrock of influence isn't power, nor is it expertise alone—it's trust, cultivated through genuine empathy. In the tech and engineering fields, where precision and logic reign, the notion of trust through empathy may seem like a soft skill, something that's nice to have but not a necessity. But pause and consider: isn't it trues that without trust, collaboration crumbles, ideas stagnate, and progress halts? If influence is the destination, trust is the launchpad. As leaders, our blueprint may be perfect, but it's the hands that build that bring it to life. Empathy is the tool we use to understand those hands and to know the pulse of our team's aspirations and challenges. When I began my leadership voyage, I viewed my team as components in a...
Unveiling the Essence of Leadership: More Than Just a Title
I've often pondered a powerful truth that reshaped my journey: Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less. This revelation isn't just words to me; it's a lifeline that turned my career around when I faced a stark realization — my team saw me as just another cog in the machine, not the leader I was appointed to be. Think of leadership like an iceberg. What people see is just the title — a mere fragment of the colossal force lurking beneath. In the complex dance of tech and engineering sectors, your title may open doors, but your influence moves the gears. The Five Levels: A Leader's Compass John Maxwell's Five Levels of Leadership became my compass in navigating the treacherous waters of leadership. Let me walk you through them, as they've profoundly impacted the way I connect with and inspire my teams. Level 1: Position When I earned my first leadership role, my team knew me — Florin, the colleague, the buddy. But respect? Influence? I might as well have been talking to the...
The Power of Pause: Leadership Reflections on Good Friday
In the continuous hustle of leadership and management, the essence of Good Friday offers a unique moment of reprieve—a sacred pause. For those who observe, this day is not only a cornerstone of faith but also a universal invitation to slow down and reflect. In leadership, where the pace seldom slows down, the act of pausing can seem foreign, yet it is in these moments of quiet reflection that we find our greatest strength and clarity. The relentless drive for results and innovation can often lead to a disconnect from our core values and vision. Leadership gurus like Simon Sinek advocate for the "infinite game" of leadership—a journey where the path is made clearer not by running faster, but by regularly pausing to understand the terrain. Dr. John Maxwell teaches the value of reflective pauses as moments to evaluate our direction and our methods. It's in these pauses that we find the space to reconnect with our purpose and the people we lead. Benefits of Pausing for Leaders:...
Bridging Gaps, Building Futures: 7 Keys to Effective Mentorship Programs
I recently had the honour of speaking at the Passion for Projects Congress in Helsingborg, Sweden, where I shared insights on the profound impact of mentorship in project management. My own mentorship journey is a testament to this impact, with one individual, in particular, leaving an indelible mark on my career: Eric Liautard. Eric recognized my innate people skills—a strength I hadn’t seen in myself—and encouraged me to step into a managerial role. This pivotal moment led me to a gathering of managers at Renault Romania, where I was introduced to John C. Maxwell's book The 360-Degree Leader. That book was not just literature; it was a doorway. It brought me into John Maxwell’s world, led to my certification in his leadership principles and shaped the work I passionately pursue today. This personal evolution underscores the transformative power of mentorship—a theme I explored in depth at the congress. If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. - Issac...
Five Key Roles 👩🏻💼🤵🏻 in Leading Through Change: Do You Know Who’s Who on Your Team?
Dear Change Leaders, If you're embarking on a change project, aiming for your team to adopt new values, a new way of working, or any kind of behavioral change, we have found that people tend to take on one of these five roles. Imagine having these five distinct individuals on your team. Each character represents a unique set of attitudes towards change, reflecting the varied responses you're likely to encounter within your real team. Meet Your Team of Change Peter, The Pioneer: Peter is always a step ahead, dreaming of what's next. Standing beside you, Peter sees opportunities where others see obstacles, driven by a vision of what could be. Peter's mantra, "This is wrong. How do I make it right?" fuels a relentless pursuit of improvement and innovation. In your journey, Peter is the spark that ignites the fire of change, challenging the status quo and envisioning a brighter future. Christine, The Champion: Christine is your right-hand person, the one who takes your vision and Peter's...
Breaking the Results Trap: Why Values and Culture Matter More Than You Think
Pursuing results without regard for values is a race to the bottom that many organizations don't realize they're running—until it's too late. In today's fast-paced business world, the emphasis on immediate results often overshadows the foundational elements of culture and values within organizations. This focus can inadvertently send a message to team members that results are paramount, irrespective of the means to achieve them. However, this approach not only undermines the essence of an organization's culture but also fosters an environment where bending rules and taking shortcuts become the norm to achieve desired outcomes. It's a predicament that many organizations face, yet it remains a challenging issue for leaders and managers to address. The dilemma arises when an individual's performance, measured solely by results, does not align with the organization's core values and culture. As leaders, the responsibility falls on us to navigate these complex situations—acknowledging the...
Leading with Empathy in a World of Logic
In a world where logic and precision drive success, it's easy to overlook the profound impact of empathy in leadership. Today, I want to share a compelling story highlighting this often-undervalued skill, particularly in the tech and engineering sectors. Meet Daniela, a lead engineer renowned for her logical and analytical prowess. Her team respected her technical skills but felt a disconnect that transcended project completion. This disconnect led to a high turnover rate, indicating a deeper issue within the team's dynamics. Despite consistent project success, Daniela noticed missed opportunities for creativity and a lack of proactive engagement from her team. An annual survey unveiled the root cause: a yearning for appreciation and a more supportive leadership style. This revelation was a turning point for Daniela, leading her to a leadership seminar focused on the transformative power of empathy in technical fields. Daniela's journey to integrate empathy into her leadership style...
Navigating Decision-Making: A Guide for Tech Leaders
In my journey as a leadership consultant, I've had the privilege of working with some of the most innovative minds in the tech and engineering sectors. These experiences have not only enriched my understanding but also shaped my perspective on what truly drives effective decision-making within this dynamic landscape. 1.Clarity of Purpose & Vision It all begins with a clear sense of purpose. Imagine setting sail without a compass; that's decision-making without purpose. During a workshop, I once asked a room full of leaders, "What's your compass?" The room fell silent. That moment of introspection was pivotal. Your purpose and vision are not just corporate jargon; they're your compass in the sea of choices. Every decision should bring you closer to your vision, not drift you away. When faced with options, ask yourself, does this align with my core purpose? If it's a distraction, it's easier to say no. 2. Data-Driven Decision-Making When It Matters I recall a conversation with a...
3 Key Strategies to Win Over Skeptics: How to Get Buy-in for New Ideas
In a bustling tech hub in the Nordics, there's a tale that hits home for many leaders and managers. It's about Elena, a project leader who's big on bringing new tech to her company's manufacturing. She's got her eyes set on an AI project that she believes can make things way more efficient and save a bunch of resources. But there's a challenge: the higher-ups in her company are pretty cautious about spending on new tech. Elena gave it her all in her presentations, loaded with data and potential benefits. But the big shots had their reservations. They were worried about how this new tech could mess up the current workflow, the hefty investment it called for, and the hassle of getting everyone up to speed with it. So, Elena switched gears. She started having casual coffee catch-ups with these folks to really get where they were coming from. Turns out, they're not against new ideas; they just need to see how it's a safe bet that won't throw a wrench in the works. Armed with this fresh...
Can’t Keep up? 4 Ways to Take Charge of Your Time
In my journey as a consultant, working closely with leaders in tech and engineering, a profound realization dawned upon me, one that reshaped my understanding of productivity and efficiency. This epiphany wasn't born out of thin air but was influenced by the teachings of John Maxwell, a luminary in leadership wisdom. It was John who illuminated the misconception of 'time management' for me, leading me to a pivotal mindset shift: the transition from managing time to managing priorities. Time, as we perceive it, is an unyielding constant. We each have the same 24 hours at our disposal, no more, no less. The revelation, however, lies in understanding that while we cannot stretch time, we can optimize how we engage with it. This shift from 'time management' to 'activity and priority management' is not just semantic; it's foundational for leaders, especially in the high-stakes realms of tech and engineering. In the Nordics, where innovation and efficiency drive the tech and engineering...
How to Unite Your Team with a Shift in Perspective: Lessons from the Beach Ball Incident
Imagine standing in a room, your team fiercely debating around a beach ball placed at its center. Everyone is adamant about the color they see, yet they're all looking at the same ball. This unexpected scenario led to a pivotal leadership revelation during my time at Volvo Cars, transforming how we approached problem-solving and team collaboration. Join me as I share how a simple shift in perspective not only resolved a contentious technical debate but also united my team in a way I never anticipated. In my journey through the world of leadership, particularly within the dynamic and ever-evolving sectors of tech and engineering in the Nordics, I've encountered a transformative insight that profoundly reshaped my approach to conflict resolution and team collaboration. This revelation didn't come from textbooks or MBA lectures but from the intricate dance of leading diverse and brilliant minds striving to innovate in unison. The Revelation in an Unlikely Scenario During a particularly...
Do you make this mistake when building your team?
Here is a truth that transformed my approach and can reshape yours. As a solopreneur and consultant specializing in the tech and engineering sectors of the Nordics, I've seen the inner workings of recruitment from both sides of the table. I've been in the shoes of a team leader, and I've guided clients through the labyrinth of building winning teams. And today I am going to share some of the things I learned. But first, let's talk football—no, not the one with quarterbacks, but the one with goalkeepers. Imagine fielding a team with 11 keepers. Sounds ludicrous, right? Yet, this is precisely the scenario I encountered in my early leadership days, and it's a trap I see many fall into—not on the pitch, but in the office. In our pursuit of talent, we often gravitate towards clones of ourselves—a phenomenon John Maxwell aptly dubs "The Law of Magnetism." We don't attract what we want; we attract who we are. My 'aha' moment came when my team, filled with brilliant minds just like mine,...
A Personal Leadership Insight
True leadership is way beyond technical abilities; it's an art hinging on the mastery of human interaction nuances. In my leadership journey, which began in the engineering industry, I initially adopted a simple, system-related communication style. I believed people preferred and responded to clear, concise instructions, similar to machines or systems. However, this approach ignored the nuanced and individualistic nature of human behavior, leading to a significant revelation. Initially, I overlooked the intricacies of human interactions and communication sensitivity, learning a hard lesson about the importance of understanding and controlling emotions. This realization sparked my interest in human mind functions and emotion processing, leading to the observation that soft skills and emotional intelligence (EQ) form the foundation of leadership. This is particularly evident when technically gifted individuals rise to top organizational roles without the necessary soft skills and EQ,...
Leadership Lessons from Tenerife: Cultivating Growth and Emotional Intelligence (special gift inside)
Recently, during a trip to Tenerife, I experienced a moment of profound clarity that beautifully parallels our journey in leadership and personal growth. As I strolled through the exquisitely maintained gardens of my 5-star hotel, I was struck by the stark contrast between the carefully cultivated landscape within the hotel premises and the wild, untended fields just beyond its boundaries. The hotel gardens were a marvel of attention and care - each plant thriving under the meticulous watch of the gardeners. Vibrant flowers bloomed in abundance, and every shrub was pruned to perfection, creating an oasis of harmony and beauty. This was a place where every detail was consciously nurtured, where growth was guided and celebrated. Just a few steps away, outside the hotel’s confines, lay the wild fields. They were untamed, filled with a chaotic mix of overgrown weeds and cacti plans. These fields, though possessed of the same potential for beauty, lacked the gardener’s guiding hand. They...
Are You Missing This Key Ingredient in Your Leadership Strategy?
Let me present you with three scenarios… (pay attention – there will be a quiz at the end!) 1. As she leaves her house, Alice notices her car keys are missing from the key rack. She rummages through her pockets and her satchel until she asks, “When did I last have them in my hands?” She remembers placing them on the kitchen counter the night before – and there they are. 2. Barry pulls a freshly-washed shirt from his closet. As he puts it over his head, he notices a strange, strong, chemical scent. “Ugh,” he thinks, “it must be my new laundry detergent. I’ll have to see if they sell it unscented.” 3. Christina’s daily chores are interrupted by a bout of food poisoning. As she lays down in bed, she thinks on what she’s eaten throughout the day – toast, salad, leftover chicken… “Chicken, it must be,” she thinks to herself, and throws it out so that no one else in her family gets sick. Question:What do these three scenes have in common? Answer: All of them, when presented with a problem,...
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