What's the most challenging lesson a leader must learn? Sylvia Holly, Managing Director at voestalpine Wire Technology, sheds light on the complexities of leadership and the lessons that have significantly shaped her journey. With a rich background in guiding teams toward innovation and success, Sylvia's insights offer a deep dive into the essence of effective leadership. This article explores the critical aspects of leadership, drawing from Sylvia's experiences to help conquer any leadership challenge.
the reality of leadership: beyond titles and power
Navigating the complex landscape of leadership requires more than just holding a title; it's about fostering genuine connections, guiding change with patience, and valuing open communication. For Sylvia, the essence of successful leadership lies in finding the right balance between vision and pragmatism, coupled with the ability for continuous self-reflection.
#1 empathy goes a long way
Empathy stands out as a cornerstone of Sylvia's leadership approach. "Adapting the leadership style to each employee is essential. One of the most critical factors is communication." Understanding and addressing the unique needs and emotions of each team member can lead to more effective and harmonious team dynamics.
📝 Spend time getting to know your team members personally. Understand their challenges and provide support tailored to their individual needs.
#2 you can't over-communicate
Sylvia emphasizes the critical importance of communication in leadership: "You can never communicate and inform too much, which also contributes to a good culture. Especially at the beginning of a project, it's crucial for everyone to understand their role, as well as its purpose and goals. The time invested in the initial stages, including planning, pays off multiple times over the course of the project." Effective communication fosters trust and ensures that everyone is on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and confusion.
📝 Hold regular team meetings and check-ins. Use multiple channels (emails, chats, in-person - depending on the preference of the person) to ensure important messages are heard by everyone.
Leading through uncertainty taught me the importance of handling challenges with grace and using difficult situations as opportunities to help others find more suitable paths.
#3 patience is a virtue
Sylvia highlights patience as one of the toughest yet most essential lessons in leadership. "The most difficult lesson for me was patience. Change takes time, and I can't turn something around overnight." Recognizing that meaningful change requires time and consistent effort is crucial for any leader. “The important thing is that I'm aware that I sometimes am overly demanding, so I make a conscious effort to ensure I bring everyone along. I strive to strike a balance between driving a project forward and ensuring that everyone is on board.”, she admits.
📝 Break large projects into smaller, manageable tasks with clear timelines. Celebrate small wins to keep the team motivated over the long haul.
#4 avoid micromanagement
Micromanagement can hinder team performance and morale. Reflecting on her experiences, Sylvia explains, "Micromanagement and inconsistency can lead to confusion and a lack of trust in leadership." Encouraging autonomy and trusting your team's abilities can lead to better results and higher engagement.
📝 Set clear expectations and provide the necessary resources, then step back and let your team take ownership of their work.
#5 feedback is a gift
Handling criticism gracefully is another challenging aspect of leadership. Sylvia admits, "Critical feedback can hurt, but I take criticism as an opportunity. Feedback is a catalyst for self-reflection and further development. It's important to appreciate when someone takes the time to provide feedback. Extracting the essence from it and considering it objectively is crucial." Constructive feedback should be embraced as a tool for growth.
📝 Implement a structured feedback system where both leaders and employees regularly exchange constructive feedback. Encourage a culture where feedback is seen as a pathway to improvement rather than criticism.
leadership as a continuous learning journey
Sylvia’s insights offer a roadmap for embracing the realities and challenges of leadership. Leadership to her, is not a destination but a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and growing. For aspiring leaders, especially women, Sylvia's advice is to believe in oneself, prioritize continuous learning, build a strong support network, and use one's voice to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Embracing these principles can transform the leadership landscape, making it more inclusive and empowering for all.
about Sylvia Holly:
Sylvia is a pioneer, a leader, and a decent human being. In her role as a member of the Management Board of voestalpine Wire Technology and Managing Director overseeing Sales, Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Controlling , she steers multiple companies towards establishing sustainable partnerships in the captivating realm of wire technology. She fosters an environment where her teams are encouraged to explore new horizons, embracing both successes and failures as valuable learning experiences along the way.
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