How can you stand out as an effective leader?

👉 “Effective leadership is not determined by previous accomplishments nor technical competence.” - Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Harvard Business Review (HBR)

According to the author, effective leadership boils down to these three qualities:

📌 Effective leadership starts with trust.
And trust starts with being authentic.

“Imagine as if you’re choosing a pilot for a skydive. You want someone who’s got experience, a calm demeanor, and definitely won't toss you out of the plane without a parachute,” said Kanter.

The HBR author also highlighted that authenticity is not about flashy speeches, rather it’s about leaders being open, honest, and consistent.

If you say it, you better be ready to do it.
That's how effective leaders build trust that sticks.

📌 Effective leadership requires active listening.
“By actively listening, you're not just gathering data but building relationships,” Kanter said. She adds active listening shows your team that they matter, their insights are valuable, and their concerns are valid.

“There's a stark difference between a boss and a leader. A boss instructs; a leader inspires. A boss talks; a leader listens,” Kanter explained.

If you aspire to transition from a mere boss to a revered leader, the path is clear: Listen more than you speak.

📌 Effective leadership is not about you.
According to Kanter, a big pitfall many leaders stumble into is that they:
a.) Constantly want the spotlight on them
b.) They micromanage

Both are a total buzzkill for your team’s potential.
Instead, flip the script and empower your crew.

“Pass them the decision-making torch and simply be their guide,” said Kanter. The author explains that effective leaders can empower and train their teams well enough to give them the space they need to try, make decisions, and sometimes even make mistakes.

In this week’s edition of In the Loop, we highlight news articles and stories that can help you become a more effective leader.

Be a better leader through Leadership Iowa

🇺🇸 DES MOINES, IA — Since the program’s inception in 1982, Leadership Iowa has trained more than 1,000 business leaders and executives from across the state on how to bring about positive change in their respective workplaces and communities, thereby creating a better future for Iowa.

READ MORE

How did an Illinois suburb attract $1.2 billion in investments and create more than 5,000 new jobs?

🇺🇸 LAKE COUNTY, IL — Lake County, a suburban region northeast of Chicago, has witnessed an economic boom in recent years. The area attracted over $1.2 billion in direct capital investment in the last five years, generating more than 5,000 new jobs. Lake County Partners President and CEO Kevin Considine shares more with GMI POST.

READ MORE

How to lead your company to success through trust and transparency

🇧🇩 GAZIPUR, BD — Led by Managing Director Mohammed Sohel, knitwear manufacturer and exporter Bangla Poshak, based in the city of Gazipur, made its mark in Bangladesh’s competitive garment industry for its commitment to quality, transparency, and long-term partnerships.

READ MORE

MORE FROM GMI POST
Podcast: The Development Dialogues

Storytelling is vital for economic development. From marketing your city to investors to communicating policies to your stakeholders, effectively translating data into compelling stories is a powerful way of highlighting industries, communities, and regions.

Tune in as Frisco Economic Development Corporation Vice President Gloria Salinas does a deep dive into the role of storytelling in economic development and more.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

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