Balancing the Equation of Leadership: The Vital Interplay Between 'What' and 'How'

In the ever-competitive world of business, leaders are often caught in a relentless pursuit of success, defined solely by tangible metrics like revenue, sales, recruitment, and productivity. While these goals are undeniably vital, it's crucial not to overlook the often-neglected counterpart: 'how' leadership is exercised. In this blog post, we'll dive deeper into the dynamic interplay between the 'what' and 'how' of leadership, shedding light on why focusing on both aspects is essential for sustainable business and leadership success.

The 'What' of Leadership: Chasing Metrics

• The Metric-Driven Approach

  • Revenue, Sales, and KPIs: Many leaders, especially those rising through the ranks, are hyper-focused on achieving quantitative metrics. They measure success solely by hitting these numbers, driven by the desire to excel in their roles.

• The Unintended Consequences

  • The Trail of Destruction: In the relentless pursuit of KPIs, some leaders inadvertently leave a trail of destruction behind. They might prioritize outcomes over people, creating a toxic work environment.

  • The Dictatorship Approach: Some leaders adopt a top-down, directive style, where they tell and dictate rather than collaborate and inspire. This can stifle creativity and alienate team members, leading to turnover and poor productivity.

  • Career Stalling: Leaders and, indeed, high performers who are in line for promotion to leadership roles can find their careers stalling because they are too focused on the “what.”

The 'How' of Leadership: A Different Approach

• Success Beyond Metrics

  • The Role of Emotional Intelligence: Truly successful leaders understand that 'how' they lead is equally important. They embrace qualities like kindness, empathy, and openness.

  • Empowerment and Collaboration: Great leaders invest in and empower their teams and foster a collaborative environment where ideas flow freely. They understand that success isn't just about hitting targets; it’s equally about nurturing a thriving ecosystem.

• The Impact of 'How'

  • A Positive Work-Life Experience: Leaders who prioritize 'how' they lead create a positive work-life experience for their teams. This boosts morale, retention rates, and overall productivity.

  • Information Sharing and Transparency: Leaders who value 'how' they operate are transparent in their communication and open to sharing information. This builds trust and strengthens team cohesion.

Striking the Balance: The Path to Exceptional Leadership

• Awareness and Reflection

  • Self-Reflection: Leaders must assess their leadership style and its impact. Are they too focused on the 'what' at the expense of the 'how'? Self-awareness is the first step toward improvement.

  • Seeking Feedback: Leaders should actively seek feedback from their teams. This insight can highlight areas where adjustments are needed in both 'what' and 'how.'

  • Active Listening: To be a great leader is to harness the full intellectual power of their teams by listening to their team’s ideas. Many teams are limited to the intelligence and innovation provided singularly by the “leader’ instead of the leader listening to and harnessing all of the brains at the table. The “Servant Leader” approach is a great methodology to adopt.

• Leadership Development

  • Training and Coaching: Investing in leadership development programs can help leaders refine their skills in both areas. Nurturing the 'how' of leadership through training in emotional intelligence, communication, and collaboration is essential.

  • Mentorship: Learning from experienced leaders who embody balanced leadership can provide invaluable guidance.

  • Education: Invest in learning and growing your leadership skills through books, podcasts, or videos.

Case Study: The positive effect focusing on the “How” as much as the “What” can have on a career

When I was a VP at B2B marketing agency Yesler (now part of Accenture), we decided to build a new division within the agency and within my overall team. We started this division with a single director but soon needed two specialists to work under that person. We hired for both roles; one person was new to me, and the other I recruited from my previous agency. Both women wound up to be rock stars.

Six months later, we had grown the division to the point where we needed to promote one of them to manage a portion of the team. Both were incredible at their “whats”, but I promoted the person who had been new to me when we hired the two roles. My former colleague quickly approached me and expressed her disappointment at not being chosen.

I explained to her that great leaders excel in both the "what" and the "how." Although she was exceptional at her "what," her approach sometimes posed challenges. She often resisted tasks she deemed undesirable or beneath her, asking unnecessary questions that slowed down the process, which wasted both her director’s time and mine. In contrast, the other employee tackled all tasks with enthusiasm, figured things out independently, and completed them efficiently.

So when given the choice to promote one of two equally talented people, I promoted the person who I thought would be a better manager based on their “how”. In management, we are often given tasks our team has to execute that we aren’t thrilled about but that would benefit the company at large. I chose the person who displayed the most emotional intelligence and collaborative spirit and who would lead their team with a positive mindset through the toughest of challenges.

The story doesn't end there. My former colleague took my advice to heart, focusing on improving her "how" alongside her "what." The transformation was remarkable. Today, she is the Director of the now-expanded division. By investing equally in her technical skills and her approach, her career—and her team's success—has soared.

Conclusion:

In the intricate world of leadership, success transcends mere metrics and achievements. Exceptional leaders recognize that a harmonious blend of the 'what' and 'how' is the key to sustainable and meaningful success for themselves, their teams, and their businesses.

Aspiring leaders should heed this wisdom and strive for balance. While chasing the 'what' is important, it should never come at the cost of the 'how.' Leadership that combines quantitative success with qualities like kindness, empathy, collaboration, and transparency is not just powerful; it's transformative. It creates thriving businesses and fulfilled motivated teams.

Remember, leadership is not a solitary journey—it's a collective effort. By focusing on both the 'what' and 'how,' leaders can pave the way for a brighter, more harmonious future for their organizations and their people.

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