Developing Good Leadership Skills

Frank Bischoff, Director, Customer Innovation, Food and Beverage, Arts Centre Melbourne

Leadership is a subject that has been written about many times by a number of successful icons of from areas of management, sports, politics and philosophy in the last 2000+ years. Whether it is Seneca, a Roman philosopher, who convincingly recommended a stoic approach, or Machiavelli, the reknowned Italian diplomat, who suggested a certain ruthless methodology to management in his book, ‘The Prince.’ . There are of course more recent publications available in bookshops and online, found somewhere between biographies and the self-help section.

I am personally a fan of listening to audiobooks and YouTube during my commute, switching from management subjects to philosophic themes to whodunits for a little light entertainment, occasionally interrupted by the odd song by Pink, Nina Simone or Chet Baker.

All of them, the ones written in antiquity or the 21st century, have something to teach us—whether it is the ‘The one minute manager’, the fellow who suggested we all should wear different hats at different times, Richard Branson’s reflections on virginity, or 50 Cent’s ‘The 50th Law.’. Each one contains snippets of wisdom, ancient or contemporary, that have the ability to guide and teach us on what matters in management and leadership.

It is important to stay on top of contemporary thoughts on the subject as technology, and generational and situational shifts. The current socioeconomic climate will continuously require us to frequently adopt the approach as and when required.

This is certainly no less true in the food processing and packaging technology industry, which, in the future, will be expected to come up with new, innovative solutions with lesser or no negative impact on the environment therefore requiring strong leadership on the subject. Apart from being well versed on the subject matter, I have received training by some of the leading experts in the field, but most importantly I have been able to observe many CEOs, Directors, Senior managers, each of them with a different style with different priorities and mandates. With such vast experience, I have come to the realise that the matter will never be entirely resolved and will always be in flux.

“All leaders, whether in business, politics, or any other workplace, are all humans the same flaws, weaknesses and strengths that everyone else has”

A more recent example of leadership in difficult times can be observed currently in New Zealand. Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern lead her devastated country with compassion, empathy, authenticity, inner strength, courage, and outward grace. I have not t been so inspired by a politician, or by anyone for a long time.

Another example that I have is from a much more personal perspective After a chain of ill-fated events and a long series of disciplinary meetings, and outcomes, I made the recommendation to dismiss a member of my team. All such recommendations went past the CEO of the organisation. He considered the case and discussed the recommendation with me and suggested to not dismiss on this occasion. It was not that the individual did not deserved the dismissal after her third ‘final’ warning. Rather, his reason was that she was the sole provider for a 16-year-old boy and it was just before Christmas.

It is interesting that I have in the past and also currently working with a number of great and exemplary leaders who have accumulated small and enormous achievements and shouldered burdens and challenges. And

It reminds me of a very important fact that is often overlooked. All leaders, whether in business, politics, or any other workplace, are all human with the same flaws, weaknesses and strengths that just about everyone else has. They can be wrong and can overlook a vital step in their decision-making process. Do not pay attention on the impact of their decision momentarily. Instead, focus on the bigger picture or indeed losing focus of the bigger picture while concentrating on a lesser detail.

So while we should learn from leaders like Warren, Bill, Steve, Richard, Angela, Helen and Jacinda, the leaders closer to us, the examples that they set on a good day are worth noticing and should not be overlooked.

In an effort to seriously oversimplify the ingredients for good, what I would like to call NOW leadership I have come up with 6 elements, starting with:

1. Decisive (I’m working on it)

2. Authentic (Not being yourself, but being the best version of yourself)

3. Human, compassionate and empathetic

4. With 21st century sensibilities eliminating nostalgia wherever it raises its head unsuitably

5. Resilient, showing inner strength

6. Emotionally intelligent

Are there more and others that are important? Of course there are. But right now, in a world that moves fast, whilst keeping an eye on equality, technological advancement, and maintaining care and compassion, these seem to be a good start.