Leadership is the foundational success for a company to succeed, and it’s important in today’s corporate world.
Adaptability in the corporate world is vital in the fast-paced, unpredictable business world, where anything can happen.
“I believe that corporate leaders must be more adaptable than ever,” Annie Houghton, signature program facilitator at Severna Park High School said. “In a fast-paced, unpredictable business environment, I believe those who can pivot quickly and adjust to new challenges will thrive. Agility in decision-making and leadership is crucial for staying ahead. As workplaces become more diverse and remote work continues to grow, leaders who have strong emotional intelligence (EQ) will play a significant role in leadership. The ability to empathize with employees, understand their needs, and foster inclusive environments will be essential for effective leadership.”
A common perspective that people have on leaders is that they’re hardworking and driven.
“My outlook on leaders in the corporate world is that they are very hardworking and driven, but that they let the need to please stockholders, and personal greed clouds their judgement,” Heather Barnstead, CTE Business teacher said.
To be an effective leader, it’s important to be able to recover from setbacks and focus on the long term goals.
“Elite leaders bounce back quickly from setbacks and remain focused on long-term objectives,” Houghton said. “They have a clear, compelling vision for the future and are able to communicate it effectively to their teams. They think long-term, making decisions that align with the bigger picture, and they continuously adapt their strategy to changing circumstances. Average leaders may focus more on short-term goals without a coherent vision or strategic direction. Another area that separates elite leaders from average ones is that elite leaders excel under pressure and view challenges as opportunities for growth.”
Task management is vital for leaders to lead their team to success.
“When I think of a leader leading their team to success, I believe they need to be good at delegating tasks effectively, ” said Houghton. “Leaders need to trust their team members and empower them to take ownership of their responsibilities. This can be difficult for some to do but it is necessary. Knowing how to assign the right tasks to the right people ensures that work gets done efficiently and that individuals develop their skills.
Leadership is a valuable skill that can be improved with active feedback and learning from other leaders.
“One of the quickest ways to improve is to actively seek feedback from peers, team members, or mentors,” Houghton said. “Constructive criticism can highlight areas of improvement and give you insight into how others perceive your leadership style. Additionally, learning from experienced leaders, either through mentorship or observation, helps to model effective behaviors.”
Additionally, leaders need to constantly practice their leadership ability and put themselves in positions to succeed.
“Practice, practice, practice,” said Barnstead. “I think that an inexperienced leader needs to put themselves out there and be in places that are bigger than them and they need to step up to the challenge and be a part of creating the solution. The more deliberate practice you have the better you will understand how to navigate in future leadership roles.”
Leaders are oftentimes placed in a variety of uncertain environments which shows their true capability of a leader.
“You see leaders in all types of environments,” said Barnstead. “In times of uncertainty is when a true leader will emerge and many times it is the person you least expect.”
Though leaders can be placed in different types of environments, having a collaborative company is when leaders can most excel in.
“From personal experience, I believe leaders excel when they are in environments where teamwork, mutual respect, and open communication are prioritized, ” said Houghton. “A collaborative culture allows leaders to work closely with their teams and foster innovation. When employees feel supported and valued, leaders can build stronger relationships and drive collective success.”
