Leadership | VOL. 1, ISSUE 1 2015
LEADERSHIP
Read Anyone. “One of the keys is eliminating
important in a healthy company. In terms
the politics of personalities to create
of leadership, he says: “Humility attracts
harmonious working relationships,” says
us to somebody, while the ego repels as it
Lieberman. “The point is when there is a lot of
implies arrogance. People assume humility is
strife and conflict in the workplace, everything
weakness, but it isn’t. Instead, if a leader is
can come to a grinding halt. People land up
humble, they recognise their strengths and
impairing the company’s larger objective. So
talents as a gift to be grateful for, rather than
it is essential to get it to a happy and more
believing that the world owes them because
productive space – what is the alternative?”
they are wonderful. Can you see how believing the world owes you will set you up
He explains that everybody wants to be
for lousy relationships?”
appreciated and acknowledged for the good work they do. “All anyone wants is to feel
Lieberman says a great leader is a visionary
needed, recognised and appreciated and,
who is clear about their objectives. They need
in fact, money is low on the totem pole of
to be flexible but unwavering in their vision.
needs.”
“They also need to be realistic and have a clear strategy that they can communicate
Lieberman says that executives constantly go
well. But, whatever you do, don’t make
for money as the cure-all to fix any problem
promises you can’t keep, because it
with staff, but it doesn’t really work.
undermines your trust and the staff’s faith in you.”
“Employees want a voice – nobody wants to feel like a drop in the bucket. Nobody
But, he says, don’t shy away from making
wants to feel like their ideas aren’t being
mistakes – he believes failure is a prerequisite
considered or their issues addressed. So,
for greatness.
the most important thing a leader can do is empower employees in their area, give them
Lieberman uses Nelson Mandela as an
responsibility and some degree of freedom to
example of a true leader and visionary who
make decisions.”
didn’t rule out of fear but understood that the country was more important than his own
Lieberman explains that acknowledgement
ego. “He had every reason to be angry at the
goes a long way. He cites those seemingly
establishment but he chose a different path
trite photographs of employee of the month
and, because of that, the entire country was
on the walls of retail stores as being very
better off.”
valuable. “They work wonders because they make people feel valued for our efforts. We
Ego, Lieberman says, is so often at the
all want this – it starts from getting stars
bottom of conflict between people.
in grade school. This acknowledgement is
“
Employees want a voice – nobody wants to feel like a drop in the bucket.”
worth more than any raise, because money
“When you are talking to people, you always
does not increase loyalty,” says Lieberman.
need to look at their ego. So, if you assuage
“If a person thinks that they have traction in
their ego then you have dealt with most of
their company, that they are effective and
the problem,” says Lieberman. “Nobody likes
acknowledged for this by their superiors,
feeling hurt, so if you ride roughshod over
they are just going to want to work harder.
someone’s feelings, they believe you are
If their effort is ignored time and time again,
disrespectful and it will cause a breach in the
any incentive – financial or otherwise – is
relationship. They could also be envious, and
undermined and they feel ignored.”
this is a different cause with a similar solution.
He says as long as the person does not really
“So, you have to rise above your own ego
need that extra money, the offer of money
and make nice. In very simplistic terms, you
won’t keep them in a company in which they
need to say, ‘I am sorry. I was wrong and you
are unhappy.
are great.’ But you really have to mean it. The people who can put their egos aside are the
Any company’s personality stems from its
ones who get ahead.” However, in business,
leadership, and strong leadership is hugely
conflict arises. Sometimes it is internal and
49