



,, Successisnotthekeyto happiness.Happinessisthekeyto success.Ifyoulovewhatyouare doing,youwillbesuccessful.
- Epictetus
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Goodleadershipisnotjustabouttheaccomplishmentoftasksand
achievementofgoals.It'smoreaboutdevelopingrelationshipsand buildingasenseofcommunityinateam.Agoodleaderknowsthat honestyandcommunicationarekey Transparencyandapproachabilitycanhelp aleaderbuildtrustamongteammembers,whichisveryimportantfora productiveworkenvironment.
Teammembersvalueoneanotherwhentheyfeelappreciated.Thediscussionof opinionsamongpeoplewouldleadtomoreideas,resultinginmoreinnovative answers.Listeningleadershelpfeelpeoplebelong,thusbecomingmoreofa bondthatwouldbringtheteamtogether.
Besides,asenseofachievementofevenlittlevictoriescanboosttheteam's morale.Everysinglecontributionofeachindividualwouldencouragethemto bewinnersbecausetheyfeelpartoftheteam.Recognitionmayasbesimpleas akindwordorashout-outduringthemeeting,indicatingeveryeffortcounts.
Fosteringrelationshipsisnotjustaboutworkperformance;italsoinvolves showinggenuinecareforteammembers'well-being.Whenleaderstakean interestintheirteam'spersonallives,itbuildsdeeperconnectionsanda supportivenetwork.Thisapproachcreatesapositiveatmospherewhere membersareencouragedtogrowbothpersonallyandprofessionally Beingaleadersimplymeansformingacultureoftrust,collaboration,andcare. Ifsuchvaluesareadopted,aleaderisreadytocreateatight-knitteamof warriorsabletostandandovercometheiradversaries.
ThelatesteditionofInsightsSuccess,titled "Most Admired Leader to Watch in 2024," featuresJohnJaeWooLeewhohasbeenrecognizedforhis exceptionalleadershipqualitiesandinnovativeapproachtoteammanagement. Johnhasconsistentlydemonstratedtheabilitytoinspirehisteamthrougha combinationofempathy,strategicvision,andacommitmenttofosteringan inclusiveenvironment.
Haveagreatreadahead!
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John Jae Woo Lee Leadership Through Connection: John's Vision for Tech and Life
16.
C20.
Reimagining Leadership: Strategies for Nurturing Deep Connections in Teams
What are the Benets of Empowering Team Members Through Delegation
Leadership Through Connection
John's Vision for Tech and Life
By promoting an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, John helps cultivate innovation and collaboration within his teams.
At the end of the day, I believe
being an honest, peopleminded leader who wants to build the best teams while also fostering deep relationships is key to a healthy team ”
AsaSeniorEngineeringManager at ChainlinkLabs, John hasquickly madeanameforhimself,earning recognitionasoneofBusinessElite's "40Under40"andanAHNHunsung Heroes50Under50Recipient.His journeyintotheworldof cryptocurrenciesbeganduringhis universityyears,sparkedbyan introductiontoNiceHash.
His passionforblockchaintechnology stemsfromhisbeliefinitspotentialto revolutionizeglobalfinancialsystems andreduceregulatoryconstraints.This visiondriveshisworkatChainlink Labs,wherehecombinestechnical expertisewithapeople-firstleadership approach.
"I saw an opportunity to leverage my technical skills while empowering others to excel," John explains.His leadershipstylefocusesonfostering collaborationandcollective achievement,creatinganenvironment whereteammemberscanthriveand contributetosharedsuccess.
Beyondtheoffice,Johnchannelshis energyintotriathlonsandultrarunning, viewingthesechallengesas opportunitiesforpersonalgrowthand inspiration.Thisholisticapproachto lifereflectsinhisprofessionalethos, wherehestrivestomakeapositive impactbothinhisworkandthewider community
Let us learn more about his journey:
John’sleadershipstylehasbeenshaped byarangeofexperiences,both personalandprofessional.
At9yearsold,Johnwasalready becomingaleaderbymanagingatop 40-personraidingguildinWorldof Warcraft,wherehelearnedvaluable lessonsaboutgroupdynamics, coaching,mentoring,andpositioning peopletoachievecommongoals.
Later,hisfirstmanagertaughthimthe principlesofservantleadership,which hecontinuestomodeltoday. Throughouthiscareer,hehas encounteredbothgoodandbad managers,buthefirmlybelievesthat beinganhonest,people-mindedleader whobuildsthebestteamswhile fosteringdeeprelationshipsiskeytoa healthyteamandmostimportantly beingaleaderwithstrongmoralvalues andtobearolemodel.
Theseexperienceshavemoldedhim intotheeffectiveandcompassionate leaderheistoday,inwhichhehasled engineeringteamsofallshapesand sizestogrow,deliver,andmakewide impact.
Uponenteringuniversity,John harboreddreamsofcompetingforthe Olympicwrestlingteam,fueledbyhis deeppassionforthesportandan intensecompetitivespirit.However,a significantshoulderinjurycompelled himtoreassesshisaspirations.
Duringthelatterpartofhishighschool years,Johnshiftedhisfocustoward academicsandbegantoexplorea varietyofinterests.HedelvedintoPC gaming,computerbuilding,debate, environmentalstudies,andpsychology. Whenthetimecametoselecta university,heappliedtoseveral institutions,eachofferingdiverse academicprograms.
Ultimately,JohnchosetoattendCal PolySanLuisObispo,wherehe pursuedamajorinComputer EngineeringandMinorsinApplied MathematicsandGroupPsychology.
Johnpositsthatempathyand emotionalintelligencearevital attributesforeffectiveleadership.He highlightsthatthecapacityto understandandconnectwitheachteam
Professionally, John aims to continue developing into a strong technology executive, exploring opportunities in venture capital, consulting, or potentially starting his own company.
membercultivatesstrongrelationships andestablishestrustwithinthegroup.
Byprioritizingthesequalities,aleader cannurture apositivework environmentthatpromotes collaborationandopen communication.Johnassertsthat leaderswhoexhibitempathynotonly boostteammoralebutalsoenhance overallperformance,ultimatelydriving theorganization'ssuccess.
Johnstrikesahealthyequilibrium betweenhiscareerandpersonallifeby immersinghimselfintriathlonand ultra-running.Thesepassionsprovide himwithastructuredroutineandclear objectivestopursue,anchoringhim amidstthedemandsofhiswork.
Moreover,Johnrecognizesthe importanceofphysicalexercisefrom trainingforhisoverallwell-being,asit contributestohisfitnessandhappiness. Thisdedicationtohispersonal interestsallowshimtorechargeand bringsasenseoffulfillmentthat complementshisprofessional responsibilities.
Johncreditshisparentsashisprimary rolemodels,havingimmigratedfrom SouthKoreatoprovideabetterlifefor himandhissistersintheUnitedStates.
Arrivingwithlimitedresources,his fatherpursuedanMBAwhileboth parentsworkedtirelesslytosupportthe family Theirdedicationandresilience instilledinhimaprofoundsenseof prideandresponsibility
Theirsacrificesmotivatedhimtoexcel inhispassionsandstriveforsuccess, directing hisworkethicand commitmenttoachievinghisgoalsin bothhispersonalandprofessional lives.
In2015,Johnembracedthenickname "WhatDrivesJohn"duringa conversationwithaclosefriendabout personalbranding.Herecognizedthat hisinterestswerediverse,coveringhis careerintech,ultra-running,streaming videogames,andtackling24-hour obstaclecourseraces.
A fun fact about him is that John dreams of rescuing as many dogs as possible on a farm after retirement
Insteadofconfininghimselftoasingle niche,heoptedtocelebratethis eclecticmixofpassions.Thenickname embodieshismultifacetedpersonality andsymbolizesthevariouspursuits thatinspirehim,highlightinghis dedicationtoexploringdifferent avenuesinbothhispersonaland professionallives.
Inapivotalmomentofhiscareer,John andhisteamfacedacriticaldeadline whileworkingatastartup.They neededtocompleteavitalfeatureby Christmastosecurefundingand establishapartnership.Asthepressure mountedandthesituationappeared daunting,herecognizedthattheteam requiredastrongvoicetomotivateand guidethemthroughthechallenges. Thisrealizationcompelledhimto assumegreaterresponsibility,leading effortstostrategicallyplanandrally theteam.
Throughlatenightsandperseverance inovercomingobstacles,they successfullymetthelaunchdeadline andsecuredthepartnership.This experiencenotonlysolidifiedJohn's potentialasaleaderbutalsoreinforced hiscommitmenttosupportingand inspiringhisteaminhigh-pressure situations,shapinghisapproachto leadershipintheyearsthatfollowed.
Johniscommittedtonurturing an inclusiveengineeringculturewithinhis teams,ensuringthateverymemberhas avoiceandaplaceatthetable.He believesthatgreatideascanemerge fromanyone,regardlessoftheir experiencelevel.
Toachievethis,heactivelyencourages opendiscussionsandcreates
opportunitiesforallteammembersto sharetheirthoughtsandinsights.
Awareofthetendencytorelyonsenior engineers,whichcaninadvertently marginalizejuniormembers,he promotesanenvironmentwhere diverseperspectivesarevalued. Throughthisapproach,hecultivates innovationandcollaborationwithinhis teams.
Johnacknowledges aleadershipstyle thatemphasizesempowermentand autonomyinhisinteractionswith fellowmanagers.Heprioritizes coachingandmentoring,ensuringthat theypossessthenecessaryskillsto guidetheirteamseffectively
Thisapproachnotonlynurturestheir professionaldevelopmentbutalso cultivatesasenseofindependence withintheirleadershiproles.
Johnishonoredtoberecognizedasa Forbes30Under30Nomineeandan AHNUnsungHeroes50Under50 Recipient,appreciatingthe acknowledgmentamongsuchan accomplishedgroup.However,he believesthatthetruekeytoadvancing hiscareerliesinhisdedicationto buildinginclusiveteamsanddelivering tangibleresults.
Whiletheseaccoladesenhancehis personalbrand,Johnfocuseson leveragingthemtostrengthenhis professionalnetworkandfoster meaningfulconnections.Heseesthese recognitionsasopportunitiesto amplifyhisimpactwithintheindustry andcontributetothesuccessofhis teams.
Motivatedbyadesiretoachievemore significantobjectives,Johnsoughtto transitionfromatechnicalroletoa leadershipposition.Heunderstood that,whileheexcelledasanengineer, truesuccessrequiredthecollaboration ofacohesiveteamunitedbyshared valuesandgoals.
Johnbelievedthatbycultivatingan alignedandmotivatedteam,hecould attainresultsthatfarexceededwhat couldbeaccomplishedalone.
Johnaspirestohaveplayeda significantroleinhisteammates' careers,envisioningafuturewherehe hearsthemsay, “Wow, John was a great manager who motivated me to achieve greater things beyond myself.”
Hisdedicationtocreatingasupportive andencouragingenvironmentreflects hisdeepcommitmenttoleavinga lastingimpactonthosearoundhim.
John'sfutureaspirationsreflecta harmoniousblendofprofessional ambitionandpersonalfulfillment.
Inhiscareer,heenvisionshimself evolvingintoaformidabletechnology executive,activelyseeking opportunitiesinventurecapital, consulting,orperhapsevenlaunching hisownenterprise.
Onapersonallevel,Johnisreadyto embracetheexcitingnewchapterof hislifeasheentershis30s.Heeagerly anticipatespursuingshareddreams withhispartner,includingthejoysof startingafamilyandrescuingadog.
Moreover,Johnisdeterminedto deepenhiscommitmentto ultrarunning,settinghissightsonthe ambitiouschallengeofcompletingthe Tahoe200,agruelingfive-dayrace aroundthebreathtakingrimofLake Tahoe.
Johnimpartsinvaluablewisdomto youngaspirants,urgingthemto acknowledge theguidanceofsenior mentors.Whetheritbemanagersor peers,heemphasizestheimportanceof leveragingtheseexperienced individualstonavigatethe complexitiesoftheircareers.
John was motivated to transition from a technical role to a leadership position by his desire to accomplish more significant objectives that required a cohesive team.
However,hisadviceextends beyondmereprofessional development.Hestressesthe significanceofhumilityand kindness,encouragingyoung professionalstotreatotherswith theutmostrespect.By stimulatinganenvironmentof mutualunderstandingandsupport,he believesthatindividualscanthrive bothpersonallyandprofessionally.
Interestingly,John'sdreamsextend beyondtheconfinesofthecorporate world.Afterretirement,heenvisionsa lifededicatedtorescuingasmanydogs aspossibleonaserenefarm,an exampleofhiscompassionatenature anddesiretomakeapositiveimpact onthelivesofthosearoundhim.
Leadership is not about being in charge, its about taking care of those in your charge.
- Simon Sinek
e i ma g i ni n g
Leadershipwithinmodernorganizationsischanging
toreflectthechangesinmodernorganizations. Fromtraditionalstrictlyhierarchicaland authoritativemodels,leadersaremovingtowardmore collaborativeandinclusiveleadership.Thesamepracticeis atrendbutamustfororganizationstothriveinacomplex worldthathasnowplacedsignificantattentionon developingrichrelationshipswithinteamssothat collaborationandtrustcanthrive.
Connectionatworkisneverslighted.Apaperthatdoes researchshowsthatorganizationswithstrongteam connectionshaveasignificantboostintheirstaff's engagementandproductivity Astudyshowsthatteams displayinghighengagementcanmeanprofitsof21%more inprofitability.Thus,thisstatisticpointsoutthegreatrole playedbyleadershipinfosteringanenvironmentwhere valuedandconnectedemployeesexist.
Insuchascenario,firmsfaceatestofleadershipableto trulyconnectwiththepeopleworkingremotelyorina hybrid.Thepandemichasforeveralteredthewaypeople work:employeesnowclamorforflexibilityand engagement.Evenmorestrikingly,arecentsurveyrevealed that41%ofemployeesleavetheirpreviousjobsduetothe lackofopportunitiesforcareeradvancement;itliterally boilsdowntotheabilityoftheleadertocreategrowthanda senseofbelongingwithhisteam.
Todeepenrelations,therefore,leadersmustembrace paradigmsofcollaborationratherthancontrol.Inshort, networkedleadershipteamsvaluedfortheircollectiveinput insteadofthetraditionalpyramid-hierarchyiswherethe shiftlies.Suchanapproachwouldencourageleadersas catalystswhoempowerself-managingteamsratherthan directingthem.Itwouldbeinnovativeandcreativein additiontotrust.
Asolidpracticeisaregularcheck-inandopenlineof communicationwithinteams.Suchinteractionsstrengthen safetynetsinwhichemployeescanfeelfreetoexpresstheir ideasandconcerns,therebybuildingrelationshipsand allowingforbetterintegrationintheteam.Anyformof communicationbyaleadermakesthemfeelheardand valuedbyothers,whichisveryimportantincreatingagreat teamdynamic.
Anotherimportantaspectofnurturingrelationshipsin teamsisemotionalintelligence(EI).Leaderswhohavehigh EIwouldbeabletounderstandandworkthroughthe emotionalneedsofteammembers.Suchunderstanding couldsparkacultureofempathyandcarethatwould greatlyenhancetheteam'smorale.
Statisticsshowthatorganizationswithleaderswhohave emotionalintelligencerecordlowerturnoversaswellas higheremployeesatisfaction.Infact,companieshaving leaderswithemotionalintelligencereportadecreasein employeeturnoverby30%fromtheircounterpartswithout theleaders.Thisexplainshowemotionalintelligenceisthe mostpracticaltakeawayfromensuringemotional intelligenceinleadershipskills.
Inclusivenessisalsopartofthebestwaytoestablishgreat relationshipswithinagroupofdiverseindividuals.The leaderhastobeabletoinstillandpromoteaninclusive cultureinwhicheveryonehastheopportunitytobeheard andrespected.Thisincludesidentifyingandworkingto addresspotentialbiasesthat,attimes,pervadeteam relationships.Creatingaspaceinwhichindividualsfeel theycansharetheirviewswithoutfearofjudgmentishow leadersfreeupthecollectivepotentialoftheteam.
McKinseyresearchshowscompanieshavingdiversified leadershipteamshavea33%likelihoodofoutperforming othersinprofitability.Thisstatisticdepictspreciselyhow inclusivitynotonlydefinesthisenvironmentbutgoesabout buildinganorganizationatlarge.
Intheincreasinglyfast-pacedenvironmentinthemodern world,continuouslearningmustbesoughtandacquirednot onlyonanindividualbasisbutorganizationallyaswell. Leadershavetoencouragetheirteamstoenhancepersonal developmentthroughtraining,mentorship,orcooperative projects.Investinginthegrowthofteammemberswould clearlystatethattheleaderisinterestedinbuildingdeep connectionsandsupportingcareeradvancement. AccordingtoaPwCreport,organizationsthatfocuson learninganddevelopmentattain24%higheremployee satisfactionlevels.Thatinitselfisenoughreasonforthisto beconsideredtrue;whenemployeescanrelyontheir institutionsfortheirgrowthjourney,chancesarethatthey willbemoreengagedandcommittedtotheorganization.
Truststandsasthefoundationofeverysuccessfulteam system. Leaderswhoareopentowhatishappeninginan organizationtheyleadearnthetrustoftheirsubordinates, especiallywithknowledgeconcerningwhyanorganization hasproblemsorsuccesses.Suchkindsofattitudesenable theteammemberstofeelincludedinthedecisionsmadein anorganization.
Edelman'sstudyrevealsthat81%ofemployeesbelievethat trustinleadershipisajobsatisfactionfactor.Ifthe leadershipexposesorganizationalissuestotheteam membersandtakesactionsbasedonthesuggestions providedbythem,itwillfosteracultureoftrust,andthe memberswillcollaboratewithandbondwitheachother more.
Trueleadershipinvolvesrethinkingwaysthat,beyond producingintimaterelationshipsamongthosemakingupa workteam,canbeusedasaplatformforlearningand development.Changingtraditionalhierarchiesinto networks,centeredonemotionalintelligence,inclusiveness, continuouslearning,andtransparencyfortrust,helpsany leadermakeiteasiertoguaranteethesuccessofthe employees.
Changeisunfoldingfastnowadays;hence,theorganization settingneedstotakedeepcognizanceofconnectionasa successenabler Thestatisticsclearlyreflectconcrete benefitstohigherprofitability,decreasedturnover,and manyothersthatcanbedrawnfromeffectiveteam dynamics.Leadersshouldbeabletofindmorethanagood enoughreasontoinvestinsuchstrategies.Reimagining leadershipisembracingthetypeofchangethatinspires workplaceswherepeoplefeelvalued,engaged,and empoweredtocontributemeaningfullytotheirteamsand organizationsasawhole.
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. , ,
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Delegationisoneofthemostimportanttoolsfor
effectiveleadershipandorganizationalsuccess. Leadersdelegatinghelptolightenuptheworkload andalsobringinanenvironmentwhereteammemberswill beabletogrow,developnewskills,andgivebacktothe organizationinmoremeaningfulways.
The next article elaborates on some benefits of empowering team members through delegation with relevant statistics and insights.
Delegationoftenleadstotheopportunityitbringsinbythe wayofteambuilding.Whenevertheleadersdelegatetasks tothesubordinates,theyownuptotheirwork.Ownership bringsasenseofaccountabilityandencouragesthe individualtodevelopproblem-solvingskills.
Theresearchbelievesthatorganizationspracticingeffective delegationshowanincreaseof30%amongemployees' involvement.Engagedemployeesworkharderandtake careregardingtheirworkandworkplace,andemployee engagementiswell-linkedtotheoverallorganizational performance.
Additionally,delegationenablesateammembertoacquire newareasofexpertise.Forinstance,ifajuniormemberis delegatedcertaintasksbyaprojectmanager,sucha memberacquiresanopportunitytobeengagedinlearning projectmanagementprocessesandstrategiesin communicationandtimemanagement.Hands-onactivities atworkcanbeappropriateforprofessionaldevelopment andleadtoemployeeshavingjobsatisfaction.
Effectivedelegationofdutiesleadstoincreasing productivityinteams.Inthismanner,leaderswillensure thatworkismoreefficientlyproducedbyallmembers accordingtotheirstrengthsandexpertise.Accordingtothe reports,researchstatesthatteamsthatreallydelegatetasks
finishprojects25%fasterthangroupsthatdonot.The qualityisnotcompromised;instead,itoftenisenhancedby thehigherspeedbecausepeopleworkingtogetherwill applytheiruniqueskillstoparticularchallenges.
Effectivedelegationoftheprocessbyleaderscanfreetheir timetofocusonstrategicinitiativesratherthanbeing boggeddowninotherday-to-dayoperations.Inthatsense, itfreesthemuptodriveinnovationandforwardthinking andmakedecisionsthatworktowardlong-term organizationgoals.
Also,delegationiscrucialforestablishingtrustinthe teams.Throughdelegatingveryimportantactivitiestoteam members,aleaderpassesthemessageacross, "I believe in your capabilities." Trustinthisenvironmentfosters collaboration,asmemberswillfeelvaluedandrespected. Galluphasconductedasurveyindicatingthattheteamsthat featurehighlevelsoftrusthave50%higherproductivity and76%higherengagementlevels.
Teammembersaremorewillingtoshareideasinorderto receivefeedbackandcanbesupportiveofoneanotherin achievingcommongoals;thiscollaborativespiritnotonly improvesteamdynamicsbutalsoyieldsinnovative solutionsfromdiverseapproaches.
Jobsatisfactionisverymuchrelatedtoasenseof empowermentanemployeefeelswhileperforminghisor herjob.Ithasbeennoticedthatthedelegationof responsibilitiesgivesindividualsmorechoicesand capabilities,andtheyseemtohaveahigherappreciationfor theirjobs.ASHRMstudyobservesthat70percentofall employeesaresatisfiedwiththeirjobsiftheyfeel empowered,comparedtoonly35percentamongthosewho don'tfeelempoweredintheirrole.
Thishigherjobsatisfactionhassignificantimplicationsfor employeeretention.Theorganizationthatdevelopsits employeesthroughadequatedelegationisgoingtoseeless
turnover.Retainingskilledemployeessavesthe organizationahugeamountinrecruitingandtrainingnew staff.
It'susefulforteammembersandhelpsinleadershipskill developmentfortheindividualsgiventheresponsibilities. Aspeoplegetinchargeofthedutieshandedouttothem, theylearntomanageprojectsandcommunicatewith stakeholders,canhandleproblemsontheirown,andhelp getpeoplereadyforfutureroleswithintheorganization.
AccordingtotheJournalofLeadershipStudies,employees whoarefrequentlydelegatedtoperformtasksaremore likelypreparingthemforapromotionorleadership opportunity Thisisthepipelinethatorganizationsuseto stayinlinewiththemarketandmaintaingrowth.
Delegationempowersteammemberswithnumerous benefitsbeyondjustcompletingtasks.Thisenablesteam developmenttoacquirenewskillsandpersonalgrowthin additiontoincreasedproductivitythroughproper distributionofassignments.Italsofosterstrustand cooperationwithintheteam,leadstoincreasedjob satisfaction,andreducesturnoverrates.
Thoseorganizationsthathavemasteredtheartofeffective delegationpositionthemselvestomakespaceforleaders andteammemberstothrive.Organizationsthatrecognize empowermentthroughdelegationcanpositionthemselves inasuperiorcompetitivepostureforlong-termsuccess.A commitmenttocreatingacultureofempowermentdrives strongperformanceandcreatesaworkforcereadytoface futurechallengeswithconfidenceandcreativity
,, ,,
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
- Epictetus
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