Purisco

Category: Leadership

  • What is Sisu and how can make you a better person

    Sisu is an ethic symbol which is part of Finland culture but is also an universal trait that can be found among others, there is no translation for it but we can define its different meanings:

    • Extraordinary Perserverance, not giving up even when the obstacles seems insurmountable, it is beating the odds, achieving what no one thought possible;
    • Action mindset, having guts and follow what feels right, trusting oneself and one’s potention, the power to take actions even if failure can be a result;
    • Latent Power, refering to the ultimate power potential existis deep within individuals and can be accessed and employed when things get really tough and one’s limits are tested and stretched. Almost like magic, you are able to do what others think is not possible;
    • Push a little bit further, even when conditions are not so favorable, if you still have the possibility to try going further you will do it; If the water is not frozen, you can always go swiming;
    • Make decisions and stick with it;
    • Treat being unconfortable as an experience,you can be uncofortable at first, but soon you will get used to it and overcome it while getting stronger;
    • If you face difficulties, think how earlier generations coped with them, you are not the first to face those situations, understading how others dealt with it might help you to find new ways of overcoming it;

    Also it can reffer to the following words: determination, tenacity, grit, bravery, resilience and hardiness.

    Sisu can’t be overused, too much can affect individual judgement regarding danger or when to give up on something, the person can also be indifferent to others and don’t listen since being super focus in their own objectives leading to stubborness.

    Sisu being properly used can be a positive driver for self-development and also to help others and increase positive relationships, while focusing on mental fortitude, well being and personality traits such as openness, conscientiousness and extraversion, this way increasing positivity and energy levels.

    With that in mind, we can understand that while facing challenges we must find our inner strengh and stay clear on what will make us drive through challenges and make ourselves better each day.

    “The biggest obstacles are between our ears, what we tell ourselves.”

    Veikka Gustafsson

    It’s not just having great accomplishments, it’s about finding the strengh to take the first step, and this is the biggest challenge we face today.

    References:

  • Leaders are born or made?

    Leadership is a frequently topic discussed by different groups and frequently mentioned in trainings and teaching materials, usually followed by the question: “are leaders born or made?”, but clearly due to the large number of adverse responses we note that there is no correct statement.

    Based on my experience, I believe that certain people are born with the real vocation of being leaders, and the training or qualification itself becomes something to improve their intrinsic and natural traits that already exist from an early age. In this way, improvement becomes something natural on their path, meaning there are no frictions or difficulties as for those who, on the opposite, were not born with this vocation.

    The very desire and interest in becoming a leader comes from the individual’s inner desire and not the other way around, although very common, where the environment ends up imposing that one assume leadership. In moments when the environment imposes the need for leadership, those who were born begin to shine and live for a purpose, while those who were not born, some may redefine themselves and rediscover themselves as leaders and the other may even assume the leadership position and have a poor performance because they will be there against their own nature.

    Obviously, those who are born will have an easier path in their development and performance, but this does not mean that those who want to change their status quo are not also capable of achieving excellence.

    A leader’s success will also be based on the relationship between his form and style of leadership and the scenario in which he/she finds himself, often the scenario will require resilience from the leader who must adapt his/her ways of leading and interacting with those around. And the best way to measure this is by analyzing the ones around, especially his/her team, where a balance is needed between the climate of individuals and performance results.

    Those who wish to take leadership or are willing to challenge themselves to achieve it were born leaders and will bring a positive impact to everyone, while others who experience the opposite, do not need to insist on a mistake that will negatively affect not only themselves but also those around.

  • What’s the secret to Professional Success?

    At least once people have asked themselves what would be the right path or receipt for their professional success. In any career we often see great people who are able to accomplish their deliverables and provide good services but even though are stuck on the same situation over the years.

    The key to success in any given situation is not only reaching the final goal, but how you are able to reach it and who you are bringing together with you.

    We can translate this into, how you are able to manage expectations, communicate, treat other people and also on elevating their potential and knowledge through this journey. This is all about soft skills, is the way we accomplish things, our actions can make the difference in our surroundings not only to the people but also potentializing and adding more value to our deliverables or services. It’s simple, imagine buying the same popcorn from one who yells at you and the other who treats you the best way possible, for you the product will be different due to the experiences.

    A good professional must accomplish his/her main job accountabilities, but should keep in mind that to reach success he/she must have core values on every action taken, such as innovation, good communication, sense of respect and empathy, loyalty, commitment, punctuality, trust, transparency, dedication, concentration and many others. Must have a clear and realistic view to see rooms of opportunity at every level of his/her job and do their best to make it better.

    Are we great and complete professionals? Are we able to be the most complete, the best of the best? The answer is no, every moment the world is changing and what is new becomes old in a matter of seconds, the only thing we are able to do is to try to be better every single day, but how? There is no answer, some find wisdom through Books, others through Youtube or Podcasts, the way to grow depends uniquely where you are standing and where you want to be, what stands on the middle is up to you and your choices.

  • Creative Leadership on KPIs Driven Businesses

    “A creative leader induces others to focus the process and process skills on meeting their challenges. They become consultants or facilitators in the process of solving the challenge rather than giving orders or doing the work themselves. Having transferred ownership, they then help others to achieve their own goals. These creative leadership skills hardly fit with the traditional management style that most organizations employ, but they can be learned.”

    Basadur, Min. “Leading Others to Think Innovatively Together: Creative Leadership.” The Leadership Quarterly 15.1 (2004): 103-21.

    Based on this quote, we assume the Creative Leadership is based on following an already existing process, focusing on people’s unique ways of working and how to help them to overcome barriers and reach their maximum potential in order to achieve the objectives.

    A business that embraces diversity and values each one’s creativity is more capable to adapt itself for changes then the ones that are strict to ways of working and avoid innovation. While being creative in a environment of change, most of us will seek for opportunity and from new different perspectives we will automatically learn new things.

    Based on a 2010 IBM Global CEO Study, creativity was the most important quality for leaders, but it’s impressive that most of organisations tend to promote leaders who do not espouse creative leadership and instead are risk-averse and maintain the status quo. In my opinion, maybe because the it’s natural behavior for us to fear the unknown and it’s always hard to do something new from what we are always used to it.

    Some of the most important characteristics to apply Creative Leadership are:

    • Acting with passion and purpose
    • Promoting individual and collaborative thinking and design
    • Listening ability and communication styles
    • Providing time and space to facilitate the practicalities
    • Stimulation sense of urgency if necessary
    • Exposing colleagues to new thinking and experiences
    • Relinquishing control and Orchestrating creative team
    • Individual and team motivations
    • Envisioning a better future
    • Setting high expectations
    • Understanding of different cultures
    • Modeling of creativity and risk-taking
    • Ability to manage change
    • Using failure as a learning opportunity
    • Personal ethics

    Of course that we can go deeper on some pillars that are really important to apply those characteristics while building or taking on a new team

    Facilitating

    Support employees or individuals as primary creators, influencing their creative contributions and shaping each stage of the creative process, this way working in a way to clean their paths breaking barriers and encouraging creativity while solving problems or reaching to new solutions.

    Directing

    Contribution and collaboration from others, as a conductor on a orchestra, providing vision and direction to musicians to bring their own single contribution. Having clear overview of what’s happening in all areas, you be able to guide every single person based on the main deliver and objective.

    Integrating

    Ability to integrate or synthesize higher novel ideas with a variety of creative from other individuals, in a way that each one them receive credit for their distinct contribution. In this context, a successful leadership synthesizes other creative inputs and unifies as a unique, common and complete subject.

    Body and Mental Health

    People are not machines and should not be treated as such, we must respect each individuals timing, space and limit. Having a good sense of leadership will imply in understand how each person is feeling, encouraging them to have a good work and personal life balance and of course showing to them how important is to exercise, drink more water or even adopting healthy nutritive meals. This way people will be able to be more creative and perform better.

    We might think that most of those actions are hard to perform either because we don’t have an official team either because the place we work in is KPI ( Key Performance Indicator) focused and don’t value or don’t pay attention to it.

    My suggestion is to apply these practices as much as possible in every available opportunity, for example if you don’t have an official team, try to motivate the ones that are working with you, give them freedom to think and encourage them to bring new ideas and solutions to the projects.

    And if you are part of a business that values a leadership based on KPIs and not by creativity, the best way is to use the KPIs as a reference of how the Creative Leadership can make a difference, guiding the team to embrace all its aspects and best practices. This way the KPIs that are the main focus of the business would be just a result based on all the effort made through the creative leadership, with this result you are able to satisfy all the parts from the main business stakeholders to the team you are working with.

    References:

  • Key Points to Understand and Build Executive Presence

    When we talk about executive presence we must consider that it’s not a born trait and instead it is a skill to be developed, cultivated and built. That’s the reason why we always heard that:

    “Great Leaders aren’t born, they’re made!”

    Executive Presence is made of how much confidence and inspiration you give to the ones around you (peers, team, managers, executives and others), while creating an image of leadership, competence and trustworthiness.

    The essential elements that will build Executive Presence are:

    • Gravitas – How You Act
    • Communication – How You Speak
    • Appearance – How You Look

    Executive presence will give confidence and inspiration to others and will increase the chances of reaching new opportunities and influence decisions that you are part of.

    Imagine yourself trying to close a deal with a client, even if you have the same product and price as competitors, the only thing that will matter at this time will be the way handled the negotiation from start to end, in that case your Executive Presence will become the predominant element for success.

    Key Points for Executive Presence

    Be Prepared. Always be prepared for any kind of situation, even if it’s a business lunch, an elevator speech or a unexpected presentation, that’s why you need to be always aware of what’s happening, knowing the status, problems and solutions.

    Clear Communication. Have the ability to transmit your ideas in a very clear way to others.

    Believe in yourself and have confidence. If you don’t believe in yourself who else will do?

    Look at you! Understand how people perceive the way you are and especially how you treat others around you.

    Decisiveness. The courage, confidence and way to take decisions and taking ownership of its risks and consequences.

    Listen.Being a great listener you’ll be able to ask the right questions and explore new ideas.

    Build Relationships. Understand the company culture, its people, the way things work, start building relationships with everyone. A strong leader must be supported by a strong network of relationships.

    Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable. Under stressful situations keep your cool to think in ways to solve the problem. Being desperate and overwhelmed will not help, instead you’ll lose confidence from others because nobody wants to see their own leader out of control.

    Emotional Intelligence. Specially empathy.

    Integrity and Ethics. Always believe and apply the right values.

    Appearance. Your appearance must not be a distraction, understand the context of every situation and also check the way people dress or take care of their own style. Always try to find balance to fit in.

    Remember, there’s no receipt to build an Executive Presence, it will depends on the environment and culture you are in, and everything will be applied based on your personal traits, values, past experiences and perception of life.