“Teaching them the ropes… Getting them up to speed… showing them the basics.”
Phrases often used when the next generation of a family-owned business steps into the business. Much thought and action are applied to teaching the next generation the mechanics of running and owning a family-owned business. While this is extremely important, what absolutely cannot get lost in the curriculum given to the next generation is leadership development. One of the most important functions of an owner is to develop a vision and strategy for their company. This vision and strategy must then be given to the team(s) in a manner that is clear, concise, and inspiring. Without execution of the vision and strategy, the vision and strategy are useless. This is where resonant leadership comes into play.
Resonant leadership is a leadership style that emphasizes emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal connections, and the ability to inspire and motivate others by creating a positive and harmonious work environment (culture). Resonant leaders are skilled at understanding their own emotions and the emotions of others, fostering trust, and creating a sense of purpose within their teams or organizations.
Key Characteristics of Resonant Leadership:
- Emotional Intelligence: Resonant leaders are self-aware, empathetic, and adept at managing emotions in themselves and others.
- Visionary Thinking: They inspire others by articulating a clear and compelling vision for the future.
- Authentic: They demonstrate integrity, authenticity, and genuine care for their team’s well-being.
- Empathy and Compassion: Resonant leaders connect with people on a human level, creating an environment of psychological safety and belonging.
- Adaptability: They can navigate complex situations and adjust their leadership style to meet the needs of their team or organization.
Why Resonant Leadership Is Important:
- Increases Engagement: Resonant leaders foster trust and emotional connection, motivating team members to perform at their best.
- Improves Team Morale: By cultivating positive relationships and a supportive environment, they reduce stress and enhance overall morale.
- Drives Innovation: Their ability to create a culture of openness and collaboration encourages creativity and the exchange of ideas.
- Enhances Retention: Employees are more likely to stay in environments where they feel valued, supported, and inspired.
- Improves Performance: A resonant approach can lead to better communication, collaboration, and results, as people feel aligned with their leader’s vision and values.
In contrast to resonant leadership, dissonant leadership refers to a leadership style characterized by a lack of emotional resonance, harmony, or alignment between the leader and their team. This style is often associated with leaders who may be:
- Disconnected from the team’s emotions: These leaders may fail to recognize or address the emotional needs of their team members, leading to a lack of trust, motivation, and engagement.
- Authoritarian or indifferent: They may impose decisions without seeking input, show little empathy, or appear unapproachable, creating an emotionally distant or rigid work environment.
- Unclear or inconsistent: Dissonant leaders may provide mixed messages or fail to communicate effectively, leaving their teams uncertain about goals or expectations.
Characteristics of Dissonant Leadership:
- Lack of emotional intelligence or empathy.
- Poor communication skills.
- Tendency to prioritize tasks over people.
- Inability to build trust or a cohesive team environment.
Consequences of Dissonant Leadership:
- Decreased employee morale and engagement.
- High turnover rates due to dissatisfaction.
- Reduced productivity and collaboration.
Gallup polls in 2024 show full engagement in the work force to be a mere 30%. Which thereby suggests 70% of the workforce is less than fully engaged with an estimated cost of $8.8 TRILLION worldwide. This amounts to 9% of the entire WORLD’S GDP. This astronomical figure is a cost that cannot be ignored and underscores the importance of resonant leadership and its development in all businesses, especially family-owned businesses.
It is very important to ensure that a well-planned succession plan is in place for the next generation. Key to the plan is a well thought out developmental plan for each member of the incoming generation. While there are several developmental opportunities that are universal, the plan itself should be specific to the individual needs of the person with specific focus on enhancing the individual’s strengths and a focus on cultivating awareness as well as development of their opportunities (otherwise sometimes labeled as weaknesses).
In a world where workplace stress and disengagement are common, resonant leadership is increasingly recognized as an effective approach to creating sustainable success and fostering a positive organizational culture.
Reach out to us to learn how resonant leadership can transform your organization and help create a culture that fosters engagement, sustainability, and success.