Leadership Philosophy: What it is and why you need one

There is a big difference between a leader and a boss. Leaders have a methodology and philosophy - they aren’t just there for power.

Every leader should have a leadership philosophy. This isn’t just a ‘feeling’ or something else intangible. But rather, it is carefully thought out, documented, and communicated. Operating without a leadership philosophy is like trying to captain a ship with no navigational directions or the crew understanding marine terminology. Your leadership philosophy helps bring structure to your team.

Key components of a Leadership Philosophy

There are several key components to every Leadership Philosophy including but not limited to your personal values, operating principles, expectations, non-negotiables, and priorities. In our Leadership Lab, we go into the details behind the eight components every Leadership Philosophy should have.

It’s personal

A leadership philosophy is a comprehensive statement about you, the leader. Think of it as a blueprint for your team. This document helps them understand why and how you lead. It also lays out what you believe a leader to be and how you will utilize that role. When your team knows what to expect from you, they are better able to meet those expectations.

It includes your core values—those personal ethics that guide the decisions that you make. Having these laid out helps your team understand where they should focus their efforts and even how to make decisions in your absence.

It’s corporate

Your leadership philosophy also includes operating principles for your business. While it involves actions within the team, the focus is still on how you, as the leader, will respond. Think of the things you will do that you want the team to replicate and include them.

Also look for boundaries and expectations that you need to put in place to provide a safe working environment. These could include behaviors that are non-negotiables for you and the team. It also includes personal idiosyncrasies and priorities that you have.

It’s empowering

By clearly communicating what your idea of leadership is, you are building a culture that allows risks to be taken. In this environment, the team doesn’t have to tiptoe around you. Every person has insight as to why they make specific decisions and respond in certain ways to various situations.

Your team is set up for success when they interact with you personally and professionally. This also extends to anyone within your sphere of influence. Clear communication of expectations creates a sense of security, which then allows the creative and problem solving sides of the brain to engage.

The positive outcome of having a leadership philosophy is autonomy and freedom. Let’s be realistic, it’s impossible for you to be a part of every client interaction, in every meeting, at your office 24/7. That behavior is the antithesis of leadership: it’s micromanaging.

You are going to need to step away from day to day operations, whether that is to recharge or because you are growing your business. No one wants to stress and wonder about what is happening at the office when they aren’t there.

Set your team up to be able to step in. By having a clear leadership philosophy, your team is able to operate without you. They are equipped to make decisions based on your values because they know what those are. A physical document exists that they can refer to in your absence. This results in peace of mind for you, knowing that your team is continuing to execute on your mission.

Creating a leadership philosophy is one of the foundational tools that work to develop influential leaders.

Unsure about where you are as a leader? Start your leadership journey by taking our free leadership assessment.