How to be a Better Leader: the Human Centred Approach

The human centred approach to leadership focuses on connecting with and empowering people so that they can contribute their best when working together. It is based on mutual respect, openness and trust, emphasising interaction as an essential element of success. Leaders who use this approach recognize the importance of creating an environment that supports and encourages team members, while also holding them accountable.

Provide and Encourage Accountability

Accountability is an important part of creating high performance teams. It encourages people to work together collaboratively, as everyone is held accountable for the success of the entire group. When team members are accountable for their actions, they take ownership of the results and are more likely to deliver quality work. As a leader, you should be clear about expectations for your team and hold yourself accountable as well. Set deadlines for tasks, create feedback loops, and give regular updates on progress so that everyone keeps their commitment to the project. Engaging in leadership development training can improve your team’s ability to create a culture of accountability and help you develop the skills necessary to be an effective leader. It provides the leadership skill development needed for high performance teams to operate effectively and with autonomy.

Dr. Brené Brown’s research into daring leadership explores the notion that “Clear is Kind, Unclear is Unkind.” In human centred workplaces, it is necessary to provide clarity, structure and boundaries while still allowing for autonomy. In the Dare to Lead™ leadership training course, based on Brown’s research, teams learn to create safe environments where people can take risks and be vulnerable. Leaders are taught how to coach and facilitate meaningful conversations that foster a culture of trust, mutual respect and courage. This allows team members to grow their self-awareness and empathy, enabling them to develop a people first approach to the way they lead.

“The world of business changes quickly, and leaders must adjust their strategies and approaches to ensure that the team remains on track for success.”

Be Flexible and Adaptable

Leadership is an ever-evolving process, so it is important to be flexible and adaptable. The world of business changes quickly, and leaders must adjust their strategies and approaches to ensure that the team remains on track for success. A human centred approach encourages leaders to listen to feedback, ask questions and make adjustments when necessary. By being flexible and adaptable, you can foster collaboration and collective effort while increasing motivation and employee engagement.

Flexibility in human centred development can also mean making the human needs of your team a priority. Creating psychological safety in the workplace is essential, so make sure to provide resources and support for team members when they need it. This includes providing high performance team training and building a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable speaking up and taking risks without fear of repercussions. By creating psychological safety in the workplace, leaders can empower their teams to achieve great things together.

Being a better leader requires practice, patience and a willingness to learn. By taking the time to understand people and provide effective guidance, you can become an effective leader with a clear sense of purpose that motivates and inspires. With the human centred approach, you can create high performing teams that are successful in achieving their goals quickly and efficiently.

The best high performance team programs focus on developing and enhancing the human centred leadership skills needed to create successful, sustainable teams. By focusing on alignment of purpose, providing clear accountability, and fostering open dialogue through coaching and facilitation, team leaders can create a culture that allows their team members to reach their highest potential. With this approach, leaders can ensure that their people are engaged and inspired while they work together to achieve the mission.

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 humanistic 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.