This issue of leadership has been in the headlines lately—from political parties rallying behind new leaders to inspiring successes in sports. Every business or organisation need leaders who can inspire, unite, and empower people to achieve great things.
We all have our own ideas about what makes a great leader, whether it’s someone we’ve worked with or a historical figure. Many leaders can spark support, but the real challenge is bridging divides, building consensus, and driving meaningful change in challenging times. This is true for charities, public sector bodies, and private businesses alike.
Highly effective transformational leaders inspire, communicate openly, and act with courage. Today’s organisations must rethink how power and responsibility are shared across teams. A distributed approach to leadership—where everyone takes responsibility for driving change—can be the tipping point for lasting improvement. The New Zealand All Blacks have a leadership mantra- “learn to pass the ball”. While a core skill of rugby is the ability to pass a rugby ball accurately, this phrase also encapsulates their philosophy to encourage each player to make smart, tactical leadership decisions on the pitch. The power of the approach is that it’s everyone’s responsibility to lead by example, taking responsibility for their part in the change. When leaders empower their teams to step up, they turn individual efforts into a powerful, collective movement
In a world of constant change, true leadership is about letting go, nurturing your team, and creating a culture where every voice contributes to progress.