Evaluating Ourselves as Leaders – Are You an Investment-Worthy Business?

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter. In a recent Thought Letter, you may recall my reference to the “Magnificent Seven” stocks.  Today, let’s build on a unique introspection – evaluating ourselves as leaders like we might assess a stock investment. What if we viewed our leadership capabilities and potential through the lens of market value? Let’s look at this intriguing perspective:

What if we viewed our leadership effectiveness like stock performance? How would our ability to consistently deliver results and handle challenges reflect our personal ‘stock’ value?

Performance Consistency: Like a high-performing stock, our worth as leaders often lies in our ability to consistently deliver results and adapt to changes.

• Consistency in meeting targets and managing downturns.
• Adaptability and resilience in changing environments.

Growth Potential:  What is our vision for the future, and how are we preparing to seize upcoming opportunities? What if our value as leaders was measured by our strategic foresight?

• Clear, innovative strategies for future success.
• Fostering a culture of continuous improvement and transformation.

Dividends in Leadership: Consider how our leadership impacts our teams. Just like dividends reflect a stock’s health, our ability to develop future leaders and empower our teams signifies our leadership strength. What if we assessed our leadership dividends through our team’s development and success?

• Investing in team growth and nurturing a productive culture.
• Leading by example to ensure high engagement and performance.

Risk Profile: We must evaluate our decision-making and risk-taking abilities. A balanced approach is the most desirable. What if our leadership effectiveness was measured by our calculated risks and the stability we provide?

• Balancing effective risk-taking with maintaining stability.
• Fostering an environment of collaborative experimentation.

ESG Alignment: Today, a commitment to ethical, social, and environmental responsibility is increasingly vital. What if our alignment with ESG principles also determined our leadership stock value?

• Practicing ethical governance and social responsibility.
• Embracing diversity, inclusion, and sustainable practices.

What if we start viewing ourselves not just as leaders but as investments? Would this change how we assess, develop, and refine our leadership skills? How would we articulate our unique value proposition? By adopting this investment perspective, we can better understand our value and potential to drive success and innovation.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Reflect on how you can apply these investment principles to evaluate and improve your leadership style.
• Consider your leadership ‘stock’ – what would your personal SWOT look like?
• Think about your growth potential and risk profile. How can you align these for your personal and professional development?

Remember, investing in the right leadership traits and practices can yield significant returns, not just in financial terms, but in personal growth, team development, and long-term organizational health.

Stay curious!