John Patterson, CEO and co-founder of Influential U challenges the traditional approach to leadership development which often fixates on acquiring specific skills which people believe will make them better leaders. The prevailing belief is that by becoming more charismatic, persuasive and better negotiators, they will be outstanding leaders. However, John contends that fixating on acquiring skills is misguided, because it’s all about me and overlooks the inherently social nature of leadership.
Leadership theory and practice has often viewed leaders as the heroic figure who swoops in to save the day with their remarkable skills and abilities. But John says we forget no-one leads in a vacuum. Ignoring this crucial point leads to suboptimal leadership development, he suggests. Influential U, under John’s guidance, champions a social approach to leadership development in its advanced programs. Rather than focusing solely on skill enhancement, they emphasise training individuals to effectively gain acceptance from others for their strategies, ideas, and objectives.
Leaders need to develop their emotional intelligence (EQ), in John’s view because it is a cornerstone of human interaction. It is fast becoming a high priority for individuals and organisations alike. EQ involves recognising, understanding, and managing our own emotions while also empathising with the emotions of others. John says, whether you’re a leader shaping your organisation’s future or an individual striving for personal and professional growth, mastering the art of the human touch is your passport to success.
John underscores the transformative impact of incorporating these principles into corporate environments. The results in corporate cross functional teams are quite startling. In a notable example, Influential U worked with a business unit of data storage company, Western Digital to accelerate initiatives, resulting in a significant reduction in project timelines and the group taking products to market four times faster than previously. He attributes such extraordinary results to addressing the ‘human touch’ inherent in leadership.
These leadership insights from John Patterson are outlined in more detail in the new book, which Dean Phelan and I co-authored – The Gentle Art of Leadership. The perspectives we gathered from our interviews with 50+ leaders from around the globe and the original research we drew on, form the basis of the book.
🙋♀️ How could you apply the human touch to your leadership challenges? 🙋
PS: I have been fortunate to study with John Patterson and his team at Influential U. I am now offering the Personality and Behaving Transactionally Program, utilising Influential U’s powerful framework. This program helps you develop a deeper understanding of how personality influences transactions, enhancing your ability to connect with others effectively. If you’re looking to enhance ‘the human touch’ in your leadership, this is it! The program kicks off April 8th, and registrations close March 31. Learn more and secure your spot here.
Best regards, Brian