What do all great leaders have in common | Matt Beeton | TEDxOxbridge

Summary

In a compelling talk on leadership, the speaker highlights that 80% of leaders fail within their first two years due to stress and dissatisfaction. Drawing from research, they identify emotional intelligence as the key to great leadership, emphasizing self-reflection, self-regulation, and self-perception as critical components. The speaker outlines three essential elements for effective leadership: connection with people, a compelling vision, and passionate enthusiasm. They stress that true leadership involves continuous self-development and the ability to inspire others, ultimately leading to high-performance teams. The message is clear: great leaders are authentic, emotionally intelligent, and committed to fostering a positive environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 80% of leaders fail to impress within the first two years of their roles, highlighting the need for effective leadership training.
• 😀 70% of leaders admit to experiencing significant stress and dissatisfaction in their jobs, indicating a critical issue in workplace well-being.
• 😀 Emotional intelligence is the key differentiator in great leadership, transcending IQ, privilege, or job titles.
• 😀 Effective leaders must prioritize connection with themselves to lead others successfully; self-reflection is crucial.
• 😀 Self-regulation is essential for leaders to manage their emotional responses and maintain professionalism.
• 😀 A leader’s self-perception must align with how their team perceives them to avoid disconnects and misunderstandings.
• 😀 A compelling vision is necessary for guiding teams; it must be clear, challenging, and inspiring to motivate employees.
• 😀 Leaders should create a visual representation of their vision to ensure team members understand and remember it.
• 😀 Passion and enthusiasm are vital for leaders to gain credibility; genuine emotional engagement inspires teams.
• 😀 The transition from personal development to developing others marks a tipping point in effective leadership, fostering high-performance teams.

Q & A

What percentage of leaders fail to impress in their first two years?

According to recent research, 80% of leaders today fail to impress in the first two years of their leadership roles.

What are some common feelings that leaders experience in their roles?

70% of leaders admit to being incredibly stressed and do not enjoy their job.

How long do Millennials typically stay in a job?

Millennials typically stay in a job for about three years.

What is the 'X Factor' of great leadership according to the speaker?

The 'X Factor' of great leadership is emotional intelligence, which includes self-reflection, self-regulation, and self-perception.

Why is self-reflection important for leaders?

Self-reflection helps leaders understand their own emotions and what motivates them, which is essential for connecting with others.

What role does self-regulation play in leadership?

Self-regulation is essential for managing one's responses to emotions, preventing negative outputs that could impact leadership effectiveness.

What is a key aspect of creating a safe environment for team members?

Creating a climate where people can freely share ideas and feedback is vital, even though it can be intimidating for leaders.

What did Nelson Mandela say about vision?

Nelson Mandela stated that 'action without vision is passing time; vision without action is daydreaming,' emphasizing the importance of both elements in leadership.

How can leaders effectively communicate their vision?

Leaders can communicate their vision by writing it down and visualizing it, which helps ensure that everyone in the organization understands it.

What is the importance of passion in leadership?

Passion and enthusiasm lend credibility to a leader, and genuine emotional expression can inspire and motivate others.

What is the significance of the tipping point in leadership development?

The tipping point refers to the moment when leaders begin to focus on developing others, fostering a high-performance environment and achieving collective success.

Outlines

00:00

😀 The X Factor of Great Leadership

In this part, the speaker discusses the alarming statistics regarding leadership failure, noting that 80% of leaders do not make a significant impact in their first two years and many experience high stress and dissatisfaction. The speaker emphasizes that great leadership is not limited to well-known figures; rather, it can be found in various people around us. Through research, the speaker identifies emotional intelligence as a key factor in effective leadership, challenging the notion that intelligence or job title is the primary determinant of leadership success. The speaker highlights the importance of self-reflection, self-regulation, and self-perception in cultivating emotional intelligence, suggesting that understanding oneself is critical for connecting with others. Moreover, the speaker stresses the necessity of creating a safe environment for feedback and idea-sharing, which fosters creativity and connection among team members.

05:01

😀 The Power of Vision in Leadership

Continuing from the previous discussion, this part focuses on the essential role of vision in leadership. The speaker cites Nelson Mandela, who stated that action without vision is merely passing time, while vision without action is daydreaming. Leaders must articulate a compelling vision that motivates their teams toward a common goal. The vision should be challenging, clearly defined, and visually represented to ensure everyone understands it. The speaker encourages leaders to avoid limiting their vision to annual targets or immediate goals, advocating for a more expansive and inspiring view that guides teams over the long term. By drawing and framing the vision, leaders can help their teams visualize the journey and foster motivation, ensuring that everyone remains engaged and focused on achieving their objectives.

10:02

😀 Passion: The Heart of Leadership

In this segment, the speaker delves into the importance of passion and enthusiasm in leadership. A leader who lacks passion fails to inspire credibility and trust among their team members. The speaker argues that emotions play a significant role in leadership, as they are contagious; when a leader exudes passion, it energizes and motivates those around them. Drawing parallels to influential figures like Martin Luther King Jr., the speaker illustrates how powerful delivery can evoke strong emotional responses. Furthermore, the speaker highlights strategic mental rehearsal as a technique leaders can use to enhance their drive and preparation for success. By visualizing their goals and the necessary steps, leaders can build confidence and clarity, ultimately leading to the effective development of high-performance teams. The segment concludes by stressing the importance of transitioning from personal leadership development to nurturing the growth and success of others, underscoring the essence of great leadership.

Keywords

💡Leadership

Leadership is the ability to guide, influence, and inspire individuals or groups toward achieving a common goal. In the context of the video, it emphasizes the challenges leaders face today, particularly regarding their ability to impress and sustain their roles. The speaker highlights that 80% of leaders fail within the first two years, showcasing the critical need for effective leadership skills.

💡Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions as well as the emotions of others. The speaker stresses that emotional intelligence is a common denominator for great leadership, contrary to the belief that IQ or job title are the main determinants of leadership success. It is depicted as essential for self-reflection and self-regulation, which are vital for connecting with team members.

💡Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is the process of introspection, where individuals evaluate their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The speaker argues that great leaders must engage in self-reflection to understand what motivates them and what impacts their emotional state. This practice is crucial for developing the self-awareness needed to connect authentically with others.

💡Self-Regulation

Self-regulation is the ability to control one’s emotions and behaviors in response to external stimuli. The speaker mentions that effective leaders need to manage their reactions, especially when faced with challenges or feedback. This skill is highlighted as essential for maintaining a positive and productive environment, allowing leaders to respond rather than react impulsively.

💡Connection

Connection refers to the relational bond between individuals, particularly in a leadership context. The speaker emphasizes that leaders need to establish a connection with their teams, which begins with self-connection. The narrative highlights that without genuine connections, it is challenging for leaders to foster creativity and collaboration within their teams.

💡Vision

Vision is a clear and compelling idea of what an organization or group aims to achieve in the future. The speaker cites Nelson Mandela, explaining that a vision must be actionable and not merely a collection of goals. It serves as a guiding star for teams, providing direction and motivation, which is critical for effective leadership.

💡Passion

Passion refers to a strong enthusiasm or dedication toward one’s work or cause. The speaker highlights that leaders who exhibit passion inspire trust and credibility among their teams. Using examples from historical leaders, the speaker shows how conveying passion can significantly affect a leader's ability to motivate and energize others.

💡Feedback

Feedback is the information given to someone about their performance or behavior. The speaker discusses the importance of feedback in leadership, describing it as a gift that, while sometimes painful, is essential for personal and organizational growth. Leaders must create an environment where feedback is welcomed and utilized effectively.

💡Creativity

Creativity is the ability to generate new ideas or approaches. The speaker connects creativity with effective leadership, noting that when leaders foster genuine connections, creativity flourishes. This relationship indicates that a supportive and open environment encourages innovative thinking among team members.

💡Strategic Mental Rehearsal

Strategic mental rehearsal involves visualizing oneself achieving a goal and practicing the necessary steps mentally. The speaker emphasizes that successful leaders use this technique to prepare for challenges and enhance their performance. By imagining success, leaders increase their likelihood of achieving their objectives, showcasing the importance of mental preparation in effective leadership.

Highlights

80% of leaders fail to impress within the first two years of their roles.

70% of leaders admit to being incredibly stressed and dissatisfied with their jobs.

The average tenure for employees has decreased significantly, with Millennials staying in jobs for only three years.

Research indicates that great leadership is not solely determined by IQ.

Leadership does not depend on privilege or job titles; many effective leaders come from diverse backgrounds.

Emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership, yet it is often misunderstood.

Self-reflection is a cornerstone of great leadership; understanding one's emotions is crucial.

Self-regulation allows leaders to manage their emotional responses effectively.

A leader's self-perception must align closely with how others view them to avoid disconnect.

Creating a safe environment for feedback is vital for team growth and innovation.

Vision is crucial for guiding teams; it should be compelling and clearly articulated.

Leaders should visualize their vision through drawings or diagrams to enhance understanding and retention.

Passion and enthusiasm in leadership inspire credibility and engagement among team members.

Emotional appeals can enhance a leader's ability to connect with their audience.

Strategic mental rehearsal is a technique used by effective leaders to visualize and prepare for success.

Great leadership involves a tipping point where leaders transition from self-development to developing others.

Transcripts

according to recent research 80% of

leaders today fail to impress in the

first two years of their leadership

roles 70% admit to being incredibly

stressed over

70% admit um to not enjoying the job and

G of the days when we used to have a job

for life today people stay in a job for

four years and within the Millennials

that's only 3

years when I saw those statistics I was

terrified I'm in the middle of my career

but that doesn't mean that great

leadership isn't around us it's all

around

us so I've been writing a book about uh

leadership about emotional intelligence

trying to find what the common

denominator The X Factor of great

leadership is and I did I started this a

couple of years ago and I started where

everybody starts research and that's on

Google

and I typed in great

leadership and these are some of the

faces that came up on the very first

page of

Google couple of observations firstly

you'll know them all

probably secondly if IID have given you

an intelligent audience the opportunity

to think of a category or a heading

where you could sandwich Captain Kirk

between Mother Teresa and Martin Luther

King I bet you couldn't have done it but

there he

is

so excuse me so these are all the people

that we uh that we know and love I've

got twin boys N9 years of age and I

asked them in the kitchen the other week

um who do you think is a great leader

and Oliver said Barack Obama he's nine

years of age and he picked probably one

of the most influential leaders of our

time William pick

me 50 pages are searched in Google gole

couldn't find a single picture of me

anywhere but I take take solace in the

fact that they're twins you know they're

pretty similar and you all of us so

right William can't be so

wrong

um but great leadership isn't reserved

for those famous people that we see here

you know you all know great leaders I've

been privileged enough to work for a

couple of great leaders I've Got Friends

and peers and some of those are great

leaders I've had a great leader who's

worked for

me so what is the The X Factor of great

leadership well according to the

research I've done I'll tell you what

it's not contrary to popular belief

great leadership isn't

IQ it's an entry point it certainly

helps but it's not IQ I know some really

clever people who have failed in a

number of leadership

positions it's not privileged some of

those people weren't born into money

privilege they weren't born into

educational privilege it's not job title

as nice as it is to have CEO or chairman

next to your name job title is actually

listed as one of the top 10 reasons why

leaders fail because they aely on that

title for

respect so within my research I've been

looking for the common denominator and

how do we categorize that emotional

intelligence and it's

frustrating because it's been

stigmatized for so long it's woolly it's

a black art it's soft management you

can't measure it or maybe you can't

measure it and just because it's emotion

doesn't mean it's not important some of

the most significant events on Earth

happen because of

emotion so what I'd like to do today is

pick three of those common denominators

just three and offer it to you as an

audience of pointers three pointers for

great

leadership and I'll start with people

now people covers a whole spectrum of

stuff

but what I'd like to do is concentrate

on connection every leader needs a

connection with people but if you need a

connection with people you have to have

a connection with yourself you have to

know yourself

fully self-reflection is one of the

cornerstones of great leadership

understanding yourself knowing what

makes you happy what makes you sad what

makes you motivated what gives you those

negative feelings that sometimes have a

negative output but self-reflection is

nothing without SE self-regulation if

you can't

regulate your your response when your

emotions tell you something else well

then we have a problem so

self-regulation is

essential everybody's got an ego the

great leaders that you saw there all

have a pretty small ego with the

exception of um Captain Kirk who has a

Hu ironically the size of a planet

actually um but everybody's got an ego

I've got an ego you all in this room

have an

ego and sometimes it's essential to take

a tactical bruise on that ego for the

betterment of an

organization so that's self-reflection

self-regulation and then we have to look

at self- perception your perception of

yourself has to be as close to other

people's reality as possible if you

think you're great and open and honest

and your teen don't well then you've got

a disconnect and you've got a

problem if you think you're really shy

and you don't really say what you want

to say but your team think that you are

quite outspoken you've got a disconnect

in your

problem your perception of yourself has

to be as close to other people's reality

as possible so we're working those three

things and it's a never-ending Journey

you'll never Master it you know it's

something that you'll Carry On and On

doing and then you have to create a safe

environment and I'm not talking safe in

the traditional sense hard hat and Boots

I'm talking about creating a climate

where people are able to say and do what

they need to say and do but for leaders

that's terrifying because it means

feedback now we all know that feedback

is a gift but if we're honest with

ourselves it also hurts but it's

essential in great

leadership you also need to create this

climate to share ideas no leader should

think that they're an exhaustive list of

ideas because nobody

is create this CL climate this open

climate if you can concentrate on those

three things have an open climate then

you have every chance of connection with

connection comes creativity and nothing

amazing happens in this earth without

creativity so that's

people second Vision Nelson M Nelson

Mandela said action without vision is

passing time Vision Without actions

daydreaming but vision and action can

change the world and N Mandela Chang the

world

if you want your company to drive if you

want your sports team to drive if you

want your Performing Art Center to drive

you have to give them a

destination because driving without a

destination means you just get

lost

so give a vision make it compelling make

it out there make it exciting make it

challenging it can't be easy if it was

easy chances are people who have already

done it put it out there design some

stops and celebrations along the way

because it's hard to stay motivated for

what might be three four five

years what a vision

isn't is meet your end of year results

your revenue and ebit dar and cash it's

not beat Everton on a Wednesday night

it's not dance your socks off in the Mae

on a Saturday they may may be all

essential things that you need in order

to reach a vision but that's not a

vision your vision needs to be

compelling and when you have a vision I

always say to companies draw it there's

no secret as to why in a company

Christmas quiz you'll always get that

question right down your vision and

Mission and everybody's going oh God I

wish bill was here he's revised that for

three years he's probably just about

nailed it nobody remembers strings of

words so write it down draw draw where

you are today draw where you want to be

tomorrow draw the path of how to get

there frame it put it on the office wall

or the Sports Center or your dance

studio everybody you will know what the

vision is they might verbalize it

differently but they'll know what it

is I forget my birthday every year but I

can draw you a picture I saw 10 years

ago so that's people

Vision Final one passion a leader

without passion and enthusiasm lacks

credibility you don't believe them and

we've all SE them they stand there in

front of the board and they say I'm very

passionate about this you think don't

feel like it feels like you're lying to

me give people that passion and there's

the thing passion and enthusiasm is an

emotion like every other emotion when

you see somebody laughing on TV you want

to laugh with them when you watch

Titanic and you see that guy sink and he

drowns you want to cry those films are

designed to play on your

emotion give people emotion Martin

Luther King didn't say we've got the

people who get us to the promised land

he didn't say it like that he belted it

out

and talk about films being designed to

trigger the emotion um Braveheart he

didn't say um they can take her large

but they won't take a freedom he shouted

it and everybody shouted with him and

when you were watching it you were

compelled even Kylie minog belted out I

should be so lucky lucky lucky lucky we

all felt

lucky and final thought on passion and

it comes from a mindset

these leaders that you know the leaders

up there all do strategic mental

rehearsal they've all imagined reaching

their goal in their mind they've

probably done it 10 or 20 times they've

imagined the steps on the way they'

tasted it theyve felt

it research suggests people who do SMR

are more likely to achieve their goals

you see Sports people do it I was

talking to Duncan goodu he did it before

his gold

medal I um I flew into an Airfield about

6 months ago um with my uncle and I was

sitting there having a cup of tea as you

do when you're British and um and there

was an air display going on and there

was this guy he was probably 60 um

experienced Pilot One Piece flight suit

and he closed his eyes he didn't know we

were watching he put his arms out closed

his eyes he started to move he started

to do this with his hands altering the

throttle moving the Yoke he was

rehearsing it was F it was honestly

fascinating to watch and I went up to

him and um I said you know are you doing

the

display on reflection a crazy thing to

ask a guy in a onesie pretending to be a

plane with his arms out but when we got

over that he said yeah and I said do you

do that often he says I can't fly I

can't do a display unless I rehearse it

in my mind he's probably done those

moves 20 times before in the air but he

can't do a display unless he's rehearsed

it and that's where he gets his drive

and passion from strategic mental

rehearsal so there's my three things

people Vision passion the great leaders

that you know the great leaders up there

are bold enough to be the people who

they are not the people that think they

ought to be and one last bit of food for

thought is great leadership is a Tipping

Point so when you start your leadership

role you're developing yourself and it's

necessary you're developing yourself

developing yourself and then there's a

Tipping Point to where you start

developing others and and you're happy

developing others and you're happy

giving people the glory of success and

that's where you start getting

motivation and that's when you start

getting high performance teams and high

getting high performance teams is great

leadership thank you very much

[Applause]