One question project: Shenin Lebrun
What do you consider to be the most important qualities of an effective leader, and how do you cultivate those qualities in yourself and in the teams you lead?
If you have worked for a bad leader or manager, as I have, you know why great leadership matters. Good leadership can make the difference between enjoying your job and tolerating your job. An effective leader brings many benefits to their team and entire organization, like increased profit, customer satisfaction and employee retention. I have had experience with both. These I consider the important qualities of an effective leader:
Empathy & Inclusivity: Empathy and inclusion are imperatives for improving workplace conditions.
A leader who walks the talk: There are some leaders who talk a good game but never do anything other than talk. Effective leaders are those who talk about what needs to happen and then do something about it or have a bias for action.
Self-Awareness: While this is a more inwardly focused trait, self-awareness and humility are paramount for leadership. The better a leader understands him or herself and recognizes their own strengths and weaknesses, the more effective they can be as a leader.
I believe that leaders are made, not born. Put another way, leadership is a skill that can be developed. Effective leaders are molded through experience, continued study, and adaptation. So you can strengthen any of these characteristics of a great leader, if you’re open to growth and you put in the time and effort toward self-improvement. These are three important qualities for me, which I cultivate in myself too. I lead with compassion. Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity are fundamental to all I do and try to accomplish. After 18 years working for Nike, the ‘Just do it’ mentality sits in my DNA. I am all about the doing. Most important is that I am always self-aware about my strengths and weaknesses, which ensures that I always grow. And that is key as an effective leader.
About Shenin:
My name is Shenin Lebrun, born and raised in Amsterdam with Surinamese roots. I’m a Leadership consultant, career mentor, entrepreneur, speaker, TV/film producer and a mother to Zohra-Lisa (4yrs). My career started at Nike 17-years-ago, right after university. It was a dream come true! The Just Do It mentality now sits in my DNA. For me, this is not just a marketing line; it has become my mantra. By following my dreams I am now a self-made business woman. In 2021 I took a big leap and founded Hustle & Heart Consultancy to help women professionals unlock and reach their potential and realize their dreams.
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