The Transformative Power of Kind Leadership
By Helen Wada with Phil Smith
The Evolution of Leadership: Is Kindness at the Forefront?
In the latest episode of Human Wise, I had the pleasure of speaking with Phil Smith, CBE, a seasoned technology executive celebrated for his remarkable career particularly as former chairman and CEO of Cisco UK & Ireland and recently as chairman of IQE plc. Throughout his journey, Phil has consistently integrated kindness and human-centred values into his leadership approach, illustrating that success isn't solely about business acumen.
Today's business landscape can often feel impersonal, with an increased reliance on technology. However, we discussed how human kindness provides a competitive edge, even as technology shapes our workplaces. Leaders who embrace kindness stand out, fostering a work environment where individuals are motivated, engaged, and energized to contribute their best.
Phil: “I think showing our human side becomes more and more relevant and more visible the more technologically engaged we get”
Creating Authentic Connections: Beyond the Transactional
We discussed how building relationships, both within and outside of our own organisations requires us to take transactional interactions and build genuine human connections. Understanding the emotional and personal dimensions of those we work with is essential for effective leadership. Real leadership goes beyond managing resources; it’s about nurturing the human spirit within the organisational framework.
Phil: “It’s certainly what I went through in my early years. The humanity, the knowing about people, understanding them...are you really thinking about what the people are feeling in this?”
We discussed how today we are at a pivotal moment, with a hybrid way of working. Before video technology became mainstream, Phil discussed how at Cisco they used to believe that video conferencing would take away the formalities – yet today people are less likely to bump into each other, less likely to pick up the phone – and wait for a time to be available to speak via video, which can potentially reduce the speed of decision making and also makes it harder for junior staff to learn side-by-side.
Helen: “We are missing some of those impromptu conversations, that connected us to others – and were an essential part of trust-building and relationships”
Cycling Through a Fulfilling Life
Phil's personal interests, ranging from cycling to playing music, are more than mere hobbies. They remind us of the importance of balance and finding fulfilment outside of work. For Phil, these passions are intrinsic to his approach to leadership, offering him perspective and providing energy outside of the workplace.
Phil: “I love cycling...I did triathlon for many years, qualified for the GB team three times. And then I play music and all sorts. I’ve got loads of guitars hanging up here and now even my grandkids love it too.”
Balancing professional achievements with personal fulfilment lends depth to one's leadership style. It encourages us to think about the wider aspects of life and how this has a role to play in who we are as individuals as well as providing essential skills that are equally valuable in the workplace. For example, having the resilience and focus to keep going when things are tough, stepping out of our comfort zones when you don’t quite know what is in front of you. Phil spoke about how, as he stood on the side of the water waiting to go in for that first part of the tri, the swim, it is much like facing the role of the CEO every day – you never quite know what might happen, but you know you have the experience, the training, the prep to deal with whatever comes your way.
In my words, this is very much the A, the “Act & Adapt” of the HUMAN that is integral to our approach at The Human Advantage.
Women in Sales
In our discussion, we also explored the challenge that we have, particularly in the UK around the role of sales, the fear of sales, especially for many women. We discussed the interesting dichotomy because we all know that in industry generally, in business, certainly in technology, we've got a real challenge with the number of women who are involved in it. And yet when we discussed the skills needed to be great at sales, we discussed the importance of empathy, listening and collaboration. For many women, it's not universal for men or for women, but for many women these are very natural skills.
Phil: “The whole thing is about being human someone who empathizes with others, who listens, who cares about what is important to them”
We discussed how it is the role of leaders to mentor and give opportunities for those coming into their careers, to find out what some of these roles are really like – and the importance for people to ask for the opportunity, take ownership for stepping out of their comfort zone and trying new things. It is a two-way process.
Practical Steps Towards Kind Leadership
Phil and I concluded our conversation by discussing actionable steps for promoting kind leadership:
Promote Empathy: Foster a culture of listening and genuine care for team well-being. Empathy in leadership drives engagement and fosters a motivated workforce.
Encourage Balance: Support your team’s interests outside work, ensuring individuals can lead balanced and fulfilling lives.
Start with being Human: We might not always think of them as “skills” but in a world where AI is accelerating what can be done by technology, the ability to have the human skills is greater than ever
Final Thoughts
Kindness in leadership is a necessity in today's interconnected world. Phil's journey underscores the value of integrating empathy, work-life balance, and smart technology use to cultivate more humane and effective workplaces. His insights remind us that the path to successful leadership is paved with genuine human connections and kind interactions.
For a deeper dive into our conversation, listen to the full podcast episode with Phil Smith here, or connect with Phil Smith on LinkedIn to learn more about his journey and leadership insights.
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