Our friend Jane Adshead-Grant says this is key in furthering our hope to build a better world:

"As we begin to share the message of what it means to be a Truly Human Leader, to take the responsibility of leadership and be this great steward of people who have been entrusted to us… What I see, time and time again is that there are few role models that enable our future generations to be this way. And so, for me, it’s about how do we role model this way of being in the world? And it isn’t just at work, you know, it’s how we show up in every day life."

We are fortunate to have Jane as one of those role models.

Jane shares quite a bit of insight in this episode, including a discussion of the challenges of the changing landscape of leadership. Based in the UK, she has been a leadership coach and mentor for almost 20 years.

In a conversation with Mary Rudder, Barry-Wehmiller’s Director of Communications, Jane talks about some of the challenges her clients are facing in today’s world and the tools she uses to help them become better leaders.

There is a hunger for a new kind of leadership.

Throughout business and organizations, people continue to be taught to be managers, not leaders. They make sure everyone is in their seat on time, they take headcount for the day, they check off the boxes of daily tasks.

But this is changing. As the evidence of the success of caring organizations becomes overwhelming, organizational leadership is reconnecting with their own humanity and recognizing the humanity of those they lead. They are recognizing that the people within their span of care are not numbers on a spreadsheet that are part of the calculations that equal profit and loss, but someone’s precious children and should be treated accordingly. They are recognizing that the people within their span of care are not just functions, but whole beings who are capable of so much more than the role into which they’ve been pigeonholed.

Leaders inspire. Leaders care. Leaders help people grow. It’s not about the tasks, it’s about the person.

When we treat people with respect and dignity and create opportunities through which they can realize their potential and be appreciated for it, we, in business, can really impact the world in a positive way.

Jacob Morgan interviewed Barry-Wehmiller CEO Bob Chapman and 140 other CEOs and leaders for his new book, The Future Leader. He took that insight and turned it into a roadmap for leaders present and future to see that leadership is not management, it’s something much bigger and much more valuable.

This is Jacob’s second appearance on our podcast. Hear Jacob talk about his research on the future of leadership on this episode.

One thing we have consistently believed at Barry-Wehmiller is that everyone can be a leader. Anese Cavanaugh‘s book, Contagious You advances the notion—for good or for bad—that leaders have tremendous power to influence those who follow their example.

As Anese says, “The quality of our leadership is based upon our intentions, energy, and presence. By emphasizing authorship, self-care, and response-ability (not responsibility) as leadership skills and therefore cultural amplifiers, Contagious You shows you how to walk the path of more effective leadership while navigating the road blocks in your way. Whether these road blocks be working with negative co-workers, secret agendas, unrealistic expectations, or just the general ‘busyness’ of life and its excessive demands, this book will take you on a journey to create more space, more courageous leadership, and stronger collaboration to influence others and create the impact you desire.

“The common denominator is you. No matter what level you’re on, your intentions, energy, and presence impact your ability to do anything within your life. Contagious You is an invitation to unlock your own power. You set the tone. You are the culture. So show up, lead, and intentionally become the change you wish to see.”

Anese’s book is a gift to yourself and anyone in your span of care: your work team, your spouse, your children, your friends. When we show up in a manner that is life-giving, rather than life-draining, it creates the space for you and others to do their best, be their best.

Learn more from Anese on this podcast.