Leadership is a balancing act. It’s about managing yourself, inspiring your team, and achieving shared goals—all while navigating challenges like workplace stress, hybrid work, and diverse teams. For project and program managers or anyone overseeing extensive responsibilities, this can feel like an impossible mountain to climb.
But what if the key to success lies not in doing more, but in how we lead and connect with others? In this post, inspired by Gerald J. Leonard’s Productivity Smarts Podcast featuring leadership expert Mick Spiers, we’ll explore strategies to strengthen your leadership, boost team productivity, and reduce stress—all while cultivating a thriving workplace culture.
Why Leadership Transitions Are So Overwhelming
Have you ever been promoted to a leadership role and felt lost? Many leaders experience what Mick Spiers calls a “leadership crisis.”
The problem often begins when high-performing individuals are promoted without proper training. These new leaders end up mimicking the behaviors of past managers—good or bad—without understanding what effective leadership truly looks like. This leads to disengaged teams, workplace stress, and a cycle of ineffective management.
So how can we break this pattern? The answer lies in self-awareness and intentionality.
Daily Self-Reflection: A Simple Habit for Big Results
One of the most powerful tools Mick uses is daily self-reflection. Every evening for over 11 years, he’s asked himself the same five questions:
- What went well today?
- What didn’t go well?
- What will I do differently next time?
- What did I learn about myself?
- What did I learn about others?
By taking just 10 minutes each day to reflect, Mick has been able to adapt, grow, and become a leader who inspires trust and confidence.
What about you? When was the last time you paused to reflect on your day? Could this simple practice help you identify patterns and improve your leadership?
From “I” to “We”: The Shift Every Leader Must Make
Many leaders struggle to let go of their old roles as doers. It’s understandable—you were promoted because you excelled at your job. But leadership is not about doing; it’s about empowering others.
Ask yourself: Are you leading your team, or are you still trying to do it all yourself?
Mick emphasizes the importance of moving from an “I” mindset to a “We” mindset. Instead of telling your team what to do, ask questions that encourage collaboration and creativity:
- What do you think our top priorities should be this week?
- What challenges might we face, and how can we overcome them?
- How can we work together to achieve this goal?
When you shift your focus from doing to guiding, your team becomes more engaged, capable, and aligned.
Trust Is Built Through Intentional Conversations
Did you know that the words you choose can literally change the chemistry of your brain?
Gerald J. Leonard explains that positive conversations release oxytocin and dopamine—neurochemicals that build trust and strengthen relationships. On the flip side, negative or careless language triggers cortisol, which activates the brain’s stress response and creates resistance.
Avoid these common language pitfalls:
- “Actually, that’s a good idea” (which can imply surprise that the idea was good).
- Dismissive phrases that unintentionally undermine someone’s contribution.
Instead, focus on affirming and inclusive language that fosters trust and collaboration.
Diversity and Inclusion: A Secret Weapon for Productivity
Diversity isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about harnessing different perspectives to drive innovation and better decision-making.
But here’s the catch: diversity without inclusion is meaningless. Leaders must intentionally create spaces where everyone feels valued and heard.
Start with this simple practice:
When facing a problem, ask your team for their input before presenting your own ideas. For example:
- “Here’s the challenge we’re facing. What solutions do you think we should explore?”
By inviting diverse perspectives and listening actively, you’ll not only foster inclusion but also discover better solutions.
Thriving in a Hybrid Work Environment
Hybrid work offers flexibility, but it also brings unique challenges like disconnection and misalignment. How can leaders create productive teams in this new normal?
The answer lies in intentionality.
- Use work-from-home days for deep focus. Plan tasks that require quiet, uninterrupted time, like writing reports or analyzing data.
- Leverage in-office days for collaboration. Focus on brainstorming, problem-solving, and team-building activities that benefit from face-to-face interaction.
Pro Tip: At the start of each week, map out your time with purpose. This ensures you maximize productivity, no matter where you’re working.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the cornerstone of great leadership. Leaders with high EQ are self-aware, empathetic, and skilled at building trust and connection.
One of Mick’s mentors, Chris Jenkins, embodied this by being relatable to everyone—from dockyard workers to prime ministers. His ability to genuinely care about others made him a leader people wanted to follow.
How can you show your team you care? It starts with listening, understanding their challenges, and celebrating their contributions.
Creating High-Performing Teams: Alignment Is Key
When team members don’t know their purpose or feel disconnected, productivity suffers. Mick highlights the Drexler-Sibbet Team Performance Model as a framework for building alignment:
- Why am I here? – Ensure each team member understands their role and value.
- Who are you? – Build trust by getting to know your team members.
- What are we doing? – Align on shared goals and a clear vision.
When everyone is rowing in the same direction, your team becomes unstoppable.
The Leadership Commitment to Continuous Growth
Leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s about being willing to learn and grow alongside your team. Mick encourages leaders to reflect on their past experiences with managers:
- What behaviors inspired you?
- What actions made you feel undervalued?
Use these insights to create your own leadership credo—a guiding set of principles that define the kind of leader you aspire to be.
Take Action: Build Your Leadership Smarts
Are you ready to elevate your leadership and create a thriving, productive team? Start today by:
- Reflecting on your daily wins and challenges.
- Shifting your focus from “I” to “We.”
- Asking better questions to foster trust and inclusion.
- Structuring your hybrid workweek with intentionality.
- Committing to lifelong learning and growth.
For more insights and strategies, tune into Gerald J. Leonard’s Productivity Smarts Podcast or explore Mick Spiers’ book, You’re a Leader, Now What?.
Let’s create workplaces where everyone feels valued, aligned, and inspired to do their best work.
What’s one small change you’ll make today to improve your leadership? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
If you want to discover all the project management strategies I’ve honed over decades, condensed into just a few hours:
Click here to grab your copy for less than the cost of a dinner out.
