August 2024 Newsletter 

Welcome to the latest edition of the KTLM newsletter! This month, we delve into the pressing issues facing today’s workplace, providing insights to help you navigate these challenges with resilience and effectiveness.

This Month's Focus

Giving Credit: A Leadership Essential

Do you take credit, or do you defer and give credit where it’s due? This is a pivotal question for any leader. Earlier this month, we had the privilege of conducting a leadership workshop for senior leaders, focusing on the value of self-awareness. How do our actions impact our people, not just daily, but minute by minute? As a leader, every detail matters—word choices, the ability to listen, body language, and our capacity to defer and give credit.

One senior leader shared a transformative story about acknowledging her team’s contributions. She shared that when she credited her team for their collective success to her boss, she felt it elevated her leadership to a new level. Reflect on this: Your role as a leader is to empower your team to achieve greatness together. By giving credit, you foster appreciation and respect, whereas taking credit can have the opposite effect. From my years of experience, I’ve learned that everyone knows who truly does the work, so give them credit.

Leadership Observation

Upon promotion to a new position, how do you handle the shift in perception? You haven’t changed, but your title and responsibilities have. Many leaders feel the need to exert more ‘power’ or alter their behavior, which often doesn’t work.

Instead, double down on what earned you the promotion. You were a peer last week, and now you’re the leader. People view you differently, so what’s the best approach? Be firm, fair, self-aware, and kind. Kindness is often misunderstood as a weakness, but it’s about honest communication done in a way that’s well-received. You can be kind and firm or kind and fair. Most importantly, be kind and self-aware in your delivery. Make your communication about your team’s needs, not about you. Leadership is influence, and if you’re new to your position, your influence isn’t yet established. Be patient and work to understand your team, so they can understand you. No one follows a title—they follow a leader. Be of service, and watch what happens.

What We Are Working On

We are excited to begin a series of workshops next week with a forward-thinking organization. Through collaboration on the focus, direction, and goals of the workshops, it’s clear that the organizations who embrace a learning environment tend to excel, whether on the field, in the marketplace, or in their category.

Why is this? Many of us have attended leadership or motivational workshops. While some are more impactful than others, an organization that values employee development usually have more engaged employees who are better positioned for success. That is the key. Present the learning opportunity as a chance to get better and create an edge - don’t do it to check a box. 

What are your thoughts? Do you embrace learning opportunities at your workplace?

Stay curious and keep leading with passion!

Warm regards,

The KTLM Team

Unlock Your Leadership Potential

If you're facing challenges in your leadership journey or seeking guidance on fostering a more resilient and effective work culture, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with our team. Together, let's unlock your leadership potential and navigate the complexities of today's workplace with confidence.

Join us in creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. Contact us today to learn more.

Feel free to share this newsletter with your colleagues and friends. We look forward to working with you.

Call to Action:

Lastly, please send us your podcast guest recommendations. If you know a leader, an emerging leader or someone who can inspire us, please email [email protected].

I want to thank all of you for following The Gargano Leadership Group!

Chris Gargano

Founder of The Gargano Leadership Group