In The Hot Seat

As a result of my attending the Institute of Leadership and Management’s 75 Years Anniversary at the Houses of Parliament, I was placed ‘In The Hot Seat’ by their monthly magazine, Edge. My readers get an early preview of what I said!

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership is having the clarity of what needs to come next – for oneself, one’s team and one’s organisation. It’s being willing to take decisions that will impact your business and the life of your employees in significant ways. It means defining priorities and organising others to action those priorities and deliver results. It’s being sure of oneself and one’s values and being willing to demonstrate them.

What are your biggest leadership and management challenges at the moment?

My biggest leadership and management challenges have related to the death of several close family members in the last year and managing my own grief and other family members’ grief, while also doing what needs to be done in business. I have been aware that should I mention these personally difficult issues, the focus in conversations becomes me, rather than my clients. This situation has reminded me that leadership calls for admitting one’s vulnerabilities and that when you do so, you form stronger relationships. I’ve been surprised by the humanity and understanding that’s been extended to me as a result.

What are you focusing on from a development perspective?

My personal development focus is in the spiritual field, as it has been for the last decade. I believe that a higher purpose of human growth and development underpins all life on Earth. Being aware of our spiritual being allows for deeper conversations and insights that help us balance out the stresses of work and business.

Which areas are you currently focusing on with coachees?

Currently, my clients tend to be focused on one of three areas:

Managing their mind. Clients identify worries and anxieties around prospective events with the expectation of negative outcomes. Such focus upon ‘what may never happen’, including what others may think or say to them that may be negative, wastes energy and mind space. I introduce them to tools that help them manage their mind.

Inability to concentrate. Undisciplined thinking causes worry, leading to a lack of focus and ability to concentrate. It often comes about as a result of people giving too much attention to their phone and social media. My advice is to limit the time you give to these things. Turn off your phone and email pings for much of the day, and especially when about to do a serious piece of work. At night, have a set time to turn off your phone – for example, 9 pm – and ensure that your bedroom is free of all tech. Sleep, and a good amount of rest, counterbalances the pressure associated with getting emails and social posts. Realise that for a balanced life, work, play and rest need to be provided in equal measure.

Mindsets. There are many types of leaders and each person has their own set of mind patterns that is their mindset. Becoming aware of your own winning formula is recognising how you best lead and the value you deliver. For example, a leader who naturally focuses on innovation can help to deliver the results that will impact the organisation’s future. Others may focus on people, finance, or risk. Knowing your winning formula will strengthen your confidence and enable you to grow your whole self.

What is your biggest leadership lesson over the past year?

Over the past year, the greatest lesson I have learned is that work is not the most important thing in life. The loss of my mother and my brother has shown me, in multiple ways, the value of life itself and the importance of relationships, both in families and in work. It has helped me to better understand other people’s lives and challenges. As many leaders learnt during the Covid lockdowns, people’s lives outside of work must be given time and attention. By genuinely supporting people and recognising their need for time away from the business, leaders can boost the loyalty of their teams and form sustainable relationships that allow the organisation to hold onto talented individuals.

Penny Sophocleous

29 September 2022