At the core of any successful business is leadership that sets the direction and embodies the values and behaviours it expects from its team. During a recent roundtable, we explored three critical laws of leadership that help ensure your business reflects the standards you want to see. These laws—The Law of the Picture, The Law of Empowerment, and The Law of Navigation—serve as guiding principles for leading a team effectively and fostering a thriving work environment.
The Law of the Picture: Leading by Example
Leadership is more than just giving instructions—it’s about modelling the behaviour you want your team to follow. As discussed, “people will follow your behaviour, not just your advice.” This is the essence of the Law of the Picture: leadership is visual, and your actions set the tone for your business.
This means consistently showing up as the leader you want your team to emulate. Are you punctual? Are you communicating clearly? Are you organised? These are not just expectations for your team; they are standards that should start with you. One of the participants, Josh, shared an example of always being the first to work and the last to leave, yet noticing that some team members still showed up late. While outliers exist, it’s essential to recognise that most of your team’s behaviour reflects your own.
Key takeaway: The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves. Suppose you’re seeing disorganisation or lack of motivation within your team. In that case, it’s time to look in the mirror and assess whether you’re genuinely modelling the behaviour you want to see.
The Law of Empowerment: Trusting and Enabling Your Team
The second law, The Law of Empowerment, gives your team the autonomy and tools they need to succeed. As a leader, it’s tempting to control every aspect of the business. Still, authentic leadership involves empowering your team to take ownership of their roles. When leaders micromanage or fail to trust their team, it stifles growth and creates dependency.
Josh’s insight into communication challenges between departments highlighted the importance of delegation and empowerment. Empowering your team means creating clear structures and communication channels and providing the necessary resources to ensure they can perform their tasks effectively.
Key takeaway: A leader’s job is to give their team the tools to succeed and then step back to let them lead. Empowerment creates a culture of accountability and ownership, helping your team feel valued and motivated to perform at their best.
The Law of Navigation: Setting Clear Vision and Communication
The final law, the Law of Navigation, emphasises the importance of planning and clear communication. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to chart the course for your business and ensure your team understands that vision. A lack of communication leads to confusion and disengagement, resulting in inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
During the discussion, Cam from Limitless Build raised the issue of low inventory communication, which often led to last-minute orders and disrupted workflows. This example illustrates how a lack of clear communication and forward planning can ripple effect throughout the business. As a leader, you must ensure clear and consistent communication with your direct reports and across all departments.
Key takeaway: Leaders must articulate a clear vision and foster open communication. When your team understands the bigger picture and their role, they are likelier to stay engaged and perform at their best.
Reflect and Improve: Leadership Starts with You
Your business is a mirror of your leadership. If you see behaviours in your team that you’re unsatisfied with, it’s time to reflect on your leadership approach. Here are a few reflection exercises to help you identify areas for improvement:
- Assess Your Communication: Do you assume your team knows your thoughts? Have you communicated expectations? Take stock of how well you explain tasks, set boundaries, and provide feedback.
- Evaluate Your Organisation: Is your business running smoothly, or are you constantly reacting to last-minute issues? Organisation starts at the top; your team will feel it if you’re disorganised. Implement tools like a default diary to help manage time and tasks more effectively.
- Check Your Attitude: Your attitude sets the emotional tone for your team. Are you showing up with energy and optimism, or are you bringing negativity to the workplace? A positive mindset can make all the difference in how your team responds to challenges.
- Empower, Don’t Micromanage: Are you giving your team the autonomy to lead, or are you holding onto control? Empowering your team means trusting them to get the job done and supporting them when needed.
- Lead by Example: Leadership is not just about what you say—it’s about what you do. If you want your team to be punctual, focused, and accountable, you must model those behaviours consistently.
Ready to Take Your Leadership to the Next Level?
The three laws of leadership—the Law of the Picture, the Law of Empowerment, and the Law of Navigation—offer a framework for creating a successful business that reflects your values and vision. By applying these principles, you can ensure that your business is one that you and your team are proud of.
Book a free business evaluation session with one of our expert coaches if you’re ready to transform your leadership and elevate your business. We’ll help you identify growth opportunities and provide actionable strategies to enhance your leadership and business performance.