How Human Centred Leadership Improves Performance

In order to be an effective leader, you need to understand how humans work. That’s where human centred leadership comes in. It takes into account the way people think, feel and behave, as well as the unique dynamics of teams and organisations. When leaders focus on the people instead of the process, they create a more positive and productive work environment.

People not Profits

The goal of every organisation is to be financially successful. But in order to achieve this, leaders need to focus on more than just the bottom line. There is an often quoted phrase when a company experiences a higher than average turnover rate. That is, that ‘people leave managers, not positions.’

This simple, yet powerful statement summarises the importance of taking a human centred approach to leading teams and organisations. What the phrase really brings into focus is the need for leaders to create an environment where people feel valued, respected and motivated.

High performance teams are only as good as their weakest link. And that weak link is often a result of poor leadership. If employees feel like they are nothing more than a cog in a machine, they will quickly become disengaged and unmotivated. Human centred leaders know that in order to get the best out of people, they need to focus on their needs and development.

Authenticity

Having a human centred culture requires that leaders make it possible for others to show up as their authentic selves. Leaders must be willing to be vulnerable in order to allow this to happen. They must make it clear that to their teams that they are fallible humans just like them. Only then will they be able to gain the trust of their teams and earn their respect.

Trust

Human centred leaders are able to build trust and rapport with their team members. They create an environment where people feel safe to take risks, experiment and fail. These leaders know that it’s not about them, it’s about the people they are leading. They are always looking for opportunities to improve high performance team development.

Communication

One of the most important qualities of human centred leaders is their ability to communicate effectively. They are able to share their vision in a way that inspires people to buy into it. They also know how to give feedback in a way that is constructive and motivating.

If you want to be a successful leader, it’s time to start thinking about your people and cultivating a human centred culture. A leadership training program can help you develop the skills you need to be a human centred leader. When you focus on your team’s development and create a positive work environment, you will see improved performance across the board.

About the Author: The Leadership Sphere

The Leadership Sphere helps small and medium businesses and larger organisations in Australia, in creating value through leadership. The Leadership Sphere provides a human centred approach to the way it delivers leadership, performance and coaching services. We work with leaders and senior teams who need to gain increased clarity, build capability and ensure contribution at every level in the organisation, and enable a safe, inclusive and  high trust organisation.