Confidence or Skill

Mick toddSeptember 4th, 2023

Great to listen to a discussion featuring former Rugby League International James Graham.

What comes first?

Confidence or Skill?

The answer fascinated me…

Hard Work

I really love this answer as it represents everything that the brilliant founders, entrepreneurs and business owners and leaders that I work with all over the world embody.

One of these leaders Sam Instone the Founder and Co-CEO of AES International and I connected last week… I love Sam’s insight into the mindset and behaviours it takes to build a high performance business, powered by deeply engaged teams.

‘There is nothing more unequal, than the equal treatment of unequals…’ – Sam Instone

This is not a ‘euphemism’ for treat people however you want as long as you get to your objective… More the path trodden by the very best… Sir Alex Ferguson, the storied Manchester United Manager or Steve Jobs the legendary leader of Apple applied these principles to build not only powerful organisations but brands that changed the game and achieved spectacular results whilst captivating a generation.

High-performance leaders who leverage the mindset of “There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequals” typically hold certain beliefs and exhibit specific behaviors that acknowledge and address the differences among their team members to ensure fairness, equity, and success for all. Here are some of those beliefs and behaviors:

1. Beliefs:

Individual Strengths and Weaknesses: Everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work for managing people or projects.

Equity Over Equality: Treating everyone exactly the same (equality) does not always result in fair outcomes. It is more important to address individual needs and circumstances (equity) to ensure success for all.

Diverse Perspectives Add Value: Different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives lead to better decision-making and problem-solving.

Inclusive Environment: Creating an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued, respected, and supported is essential for high performance.

2. Behaviours:

Tailored Approach: Adapt leadership and communication styles to suit the needs and preferences of individual team members.

Active Listening: Listen actively to understand the unique perspectives, ideas, and concerns of team members.

Encourage Input: Actively seek and value input from all team members, not just those who are the most vocal or dominant.

Provide Individualized Support: Offer personalized support, resources, and opportunities to team members based on their individual needs, strengths, and development areas.

Fair and Equitable Treatment: Make decisions and allocate resources in a way that is fair and equitable, rather than simply treating everyone the same.

Recognition of Individual Contributions: Recognize and celebrate the individual contributions of team members, acknowledging that different people may contribute in different ways.

Promote Inclusivity: Foster an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued, respected, and supported, regardless of their background, experiences, or characteristics.

By acknowledging and addressing the unique needs, strengths, and contributions of each team member, high-performance leaders can create a more inclusive, equitable, and effective team environment that leverages the talents of all team members to achieve success.

Just for the record I am not a Manchester United fan, my daughter and I celebrated Father’s Day (the Antipodean version) spent wandering around my favourite city in the world and finished the day in the best way possible… Watching Arsenal F.C (North London Forever) defeat the Red Devils 3-1.

Great to be back in London and looking forward to a powerhouse two weeks with great clients… It all starts with Julian Sharpe‘s Studio Day at tp bennett today.