September 2024 Newsletter 

Welcome to the latest edition of the Keep the Line Moving (KTLM) newsletter!

In this issue, we explore key challenges in today's workplace and provide actionable leadership insights to help you navigate these with resilience and effectiveness.

This Month's Focus

How Do You Lead Without a Title?

If you're new to leadership, you’ve probably asked yourself this question: How do I influence those around me while still early in my career and working as an individual contributor?

First, if you’re already considering this, you’re ahead of the game! Think about the people who have influenced you—why did you listen to them? What made them credible? What language did they use that motivated you to act? These are crucial qualities to observe, as leadership and influence intersect with your values and what you stand for.

The first step in becoming a leader without a title is understanding your values. For example, consider the three core elements of your personality that shape how you show up in both your personal and professional life. When you align your actions with your values, your communication becomes clearer and more impactful.

Starting a career can be both exciting and disorienting. Many of us focus on the technical skills that got us the job, and while that’s important, it’s not the whole picture. What employers often don’t mention is that others may have had similar, if not stronger, technical skills. You stood out because of the intangibles—how you presented yourself, your unique story, and the rapport you built during the interview. That’s influence, even if you didn’t recognize it at the time! By continuing to demonstrate authenticity, you’ll build trust and positively influence your colleagues.

Leadership Observation

Transactional or Transformational: When Should You Dive In?

Are you more transactional or transformational in your leadership style? This has been a recurring theme in our podcast recently, where we’ve delved into the impact of both approaches.

In episode #94 with basketball coach and broadcaster Shimmy Miller, we explored her evolution as a women’s college basketball coach. When she embraced a more transformational leadership approach, the results were immediate and powerful. Shimmy emphasized that transformation requires intention and self-awareness.

In our most recent episode, #95, featuring Professor Brandon Brown, we discussed the importance of creating emotional connections with students. He highlighted that genuine teaching transcends surface-level interactions, fostering deep connections through relatability and trust.

Transactional leadership focuses on managing tasks—asking questions like, Do you have the report? Are we under budget? Is the project complete? While necessary, this approach manages processes rather than leading people. Leadership, on the other hand, is about connecting with others, listening, and empowering them to excel. By truly listening to your team and understanding their strengths, you can create opportunities for them to succeed, which ultimately leads to shared success. That’s transformational leadership.

What We Are Working On

Creating Connections

What motivates you to do your best work? Often, it’s the relationships you’ve built with colleagues. Of course, personal success is important, but we also don’t want to let our team down. In our leadership workshops, we emphasize the value of creating genuine connections in the workplace.

Currently, we are conducting a series of workshops with a professional sports organization, and we’re witnessing these connections form in real time throughout the sessions. These professionals understand that simply “getting the job done” isn’t enough. Meaningful work is about building strong relationships with the people around you. When your workplace connections are strong, the work itself becomes more fulfilling.

We'd love to hear your thoughts - please share with us!

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