How to Shift Perspective to Build Strong Teams

What makes a great leader? Many organizations tend to select leaders who can get things done. They produce outcomes on schedule and on budget with minimal fuss.

This outcomes-focused approach to leadership has resulted in some counterintuitive trends in studies of leaders. Research has found that leaders, particularly at high levels such as CEO, tend to score high on psychopathy, which manifests as a tendency to prioritize their own goals and outcomes without considering the impact on other people. These types of leaders can be effective at creating change, but often at a price for the people and the organization as a whole.

Growing awareness about the cost of this type of leadership to retention and productivity has led organizations to restructure around a "people first" approach. In this emerging view, great leaders must have the key skill of supporting their teams, especially during times of stress when emotions run high. People naturally vary in their ability to take others' perspectives and support them, a skill often included under the broader umbrella of emotional intelligence. This skill can also be intentionally developed through practice and habit-building.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Psychology Today.