Sir Steve Lancashire is Chair of Forum Strategy’s National #TrustLeaders CEO network. He also provides mentoring for CEOs through Forum Strategy and also on the Being The CEO programme. Here is his latest monthly blog for our members and partners.
In terms of ‘Reflections on Being the CEO’ (thank you for all the lovely comments) a theme my mind keeps returning to is the importance of ‘intentionality’ as a trust leader, but intentionality grounded in a deep understanding of ourselves as CEO.
“Leader, know thyself” should, I believe, be a foundational principle for anyone aiming to be effective and successful in the role.
It seems to me that this ancient Greek aphorism, inscribed at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, carries timeless wisdom and remains ever relevant as we aim to navigate the turbulent and challenging times we find ourselves in currently. Here’s why.
Effective leadership should, I believe, start with self-awareness. If, as CEOs, we truly understand our own strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations we can make informed decisions and adapt our leadership style to various situations. This self-awareness enables us to recognise and manage our biases, which is crucial in fostering a fair and inclusive workplace, something I know we all strive for.
If we truly know ourselves, we are much more likely to possess high emotional intelligence enabling us to effectively navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, build strong relationships, and empathise with our teams. Experience tells us emotional intelligence is key to effective communication and conflict resolution. Sound familiar?
