Lindo Zuma’s Post

The Overlooked Art of Being a Great Follower. In the workplace, we often focus a lot of attention on leadership - how to motivate teams, delegate effectively, and drive results. But being a strong leader is only half the equation. To truly have a high-functioning, cohesive organization, you also need capable, engaged followers. Contrary to popular belief, being a good follower is no easy feat. It requires a unique set of skills and mindsets. So what does it take to be a truly exceptional follower in today's fast-paced, ever-changing work environments? Here are 4 key qualities of stellar workplace followers: 1. Ownership Mentality - Great followers don't just passively wait for instructions. They take initiative, identify areas where they can add value, and proactively bring ideas to the table. 2. Emotional Intelligence - Effective followers are self-aware and adept at reading social cues. They understand how their words and actions impact the team, and adjust accordingly. 3. Coachability - The best followers are hungry to learn and improve. They welcome constructive feedback, act on it, and continuously strive to develop their skills. 4. Loyalty & Trust - Reliable, trustworthy followers build strong relationships with their leaders. They have the leader's back, maintain confidentiality, and operate with the team's best interests in mind. - When employees embody these qualities, they make an immeasurable contribution to the organization's success. - Strong followers free up leaders to focus on the big picture, provide critical support, and create a positive, collaborative work culture. #WorkplaceAdvice #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment

Building relationships at work isn’t a one-off task It needs ongoing time and effort Relationships need creating, nurturing, adapting and maintaining This means: - Understanding the other person - Helping them understand you - Figuring out if your values align - Adapting communication styles to collaborate - Finding a way to have difficult conversations Some relationships will feel harder than others. Some will last a career and some will not The foundation to great relationships is emotional intelligence Today I’m grateful for two specific relationships: Helen Joy and Jess Meredith Helen: - We met 20 years ago in my first job We lost contact until 2020 - Since then Helen and I have found a common mission… - We’ve co-founded a new venture together: The Human Leader 🙌 Jess: - I met Jess 10 years ago when we were in the same leadership development cohort - Jess moved on and our lives went in different directions - In 2022 Jess hired me as a speaker - When Jess founded Differing Minds we spoke often and now talk most days - Differing Minds are the first Human Leader partner 🙌 The three of us are also proud members of MicDrop 🎤 What work relationship are you grateful for? Repost ♻️ for your network if useful Image description: Nick, Jess and Helen are smiling. Nick is in the middle wearing a scarf, jacket and shirt. Jess is on the left wearing a beige coat and green, white and black dress. Helen is on the right wearing a beige jacket and green shirt. We’re stood in the reception of a building in London #Collaboration #Communication #HumanSkills #EmotionalIntelligence —————————————————————— I’m Nick and I build trust at work 👋🏻 I transform product teams and leaders 💥 I empower human leaders 👩💼 I inspire teams to prioritise mind health 💚 Product coach & human skills speaker 🚀

What would I do if I were trying to stand out in today's corporate world? (Someone recently asked me this) My answer: 1. Master the art of making memorable first impressions. Leil Lowndes' book, "How to Talk to Anyone" suggests techniques like the "Flooding Smile" and a strong handshake that can significantly boost your perceived confidence and authority.     2. Engage in active listening. This involves deeply engaging, asking insightful questions, and showing genuine interest, which can make your interactions more memorable and impactful.     3. Utilize the power of mimicry. I've got a love/hate relationship with this so be authentic. I had a supervisor who would manipulate people by mimicking them in words and phrasing but when asked for an original thought, the output was word salad.        Subtly copying body language, speech patterns, and attitudes can build a connection, implying "I understand you," and pave the way for more impactful interactions.     4. Enhance your conversational skills. Move beyond small talk to more engaging, thoughtful conversations, share insights, ask open-ended questions about challenges and goals, and offer genuine advice.     Better standing out in corporate world: ↳ Confidence ↳ Memorable Interactions ↳ Stronger Authentic Connections ↳ Thoughtful Conversations For those who want to deepen their understanding of emotional intelligence and leadership development, let's connect. I specialize in helping emerging leaders like you to harness your tremendous potential and achieve the recognition you rightfully deserve. Interested to know more about how to apply these techniques for your career advancement or any other aspect of leadership and emotional intelligence? Let me know how I can customize my advice to meet your specific needs, schedule some time with me using the link above.

Unlock the Power of Social Insight: Elevate Your Leadership Imagine walking into a room and instantly feeling its pulse. The energy, the unspoken connections, the subtle shifts in mood—all captured in a single glance. It's like having an innate radar for group dynamics, allowing you to navigate any social or professional setting with ease and confidence. At Read The Room Now, we believe that true leadership transcends technical expertise. It's about connecting deeply with those around you, understanding the invisible threads that weave through every interaction. Our coaching and consulting services are crafted to empower you with not just the latest tech skills, but also the emotional intelligence, resilience, and creative thinking essential for impactful leadership. Here's how you can transform your interactions: Start by taking in the entire room—the layout, the atmosphere, the unspoken cues. Mentally divide the space into zones, absorbing every detail. Notice the clusters of people—who's leading the conversation, who's observing? Decode body language to gauge openness and engagement. Focus on individuals, reading facial expressions and gestures. Who's engaged and who's distracted? Observe how people move and interact. Who initiates conversations? Who facilitates connections? Notice how information flows and how the environment influences behavior. Regularly assess shifts in energy and group dynamics. Identify patterns that can inform your leadership strategy. By mastering these techniques, you'll develop a heightened awareness that transforms how you interact, influence, and lead in any setting—whether it's a team meeting, a networking event, or a client presentation. Ready to elevate your leadership and harness the power of social insight? Follow us on LinkedIn at Read The Room Now and discover how to lead with unparalleled understanding and effectiveness. #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #ProfessionalDevelopment #Communication #TeamDynamics #Influence #Resilience #Innovation #CareerGrowth #ReadTheRoomNow

Leadership isn't just a title—it's a skillset that translates across industries, including social media agencies. First things first: communication is key. Whether you're creating campaigns for a brand or managing a team, clear and honest communication fosters a productive environment. Think of it as the backbone of any successful social media agency. When everyone understands their role and what's expected, projects run smoother, and creativity flows more freely. Next up, adaptability. Social media trends are like the weather—they change fast. A good leader needs to be flexible, ready to pivot strategies on short notice. This means not just surviving change, but thriving in it. Make use of data analytics to steer your team and clients in the right direction. Always be prepared to tweak your approach without losing sight of the big picture. Delegation is another critical component. No one can do everything alone, and trying to will only lead to burnout. Effective leaders understand their team's strengths and leverage them accordingly. By trusting your team members with responsibilities, you empower them and make the whole operation stronger. Creativity shouldn't be underestimated, either. Social media thrives on fresh ideas and unique perspectives. Leaders should encourage risk-taking within safe boundaries. Create an environment where your team feels safe to pitch wild ideas; you never know where the next viral campaign will come from. Lastly, empathy. Leadership isn't just about hitting targets; it’s about understanding the human element. Listen to your team, understand their concerns, and support their well-being. A little empathy can go a long way in building a loyal and enthusiastic team. So, if you're aiming to lead a social media agency successfully, remember these skills: communication, adaptability, delegation, creativity, and empathy. Put these into practice, and you’re on your way to fostering both strong campaigns and a strong team. #leadership #skilldevelopment #agencies #agencymanagement #personaldevelopment #personalgrowth

🚀5 Steps to Successfully Engage Your Team 🚀 Want to build a strong team? As a leader, it's important to not just direct others around like a herd of sheep, but to empower, encourage, and engage your team. Here are five simple ways to achieve that: 1️⃣ Encourage your team often: Tell them they've done something well, congratulate them on a big win, say it out loud, in an email, or via a chat platform -- do this all the time. When you reward people with words, it leads to a more motivated team, and they'll continue to do their jobs well. 2️⃣ Ask for clarification and explanations: Ask questions, and pay attention to what your team is doing. When people are asked to explain something that they're learning or processing, it can actually help them grasp the concept even better. When this exchange is done, it creates a teachable moment for everyone involved -- including you, the leader. 3️⃣ Let them experiment: Not everything will go wrong if you give your team some freedom to play. When you allow your team to experiment, support and encourage them. New possibilities will emerge and they'll be better for it, and you might even learn something, too. 4️⃣ Seek feedback: Get into the habit of asking for your team's input rather than just assuming everyone is going along with your one-person show. Make an effort to open them up. True transparency cuts both ways. It may even involve a few cuts to your ego, but it's worth it in the long run. 5️⃣ Give them space: Allow your team to learn to lead without you hovering over them. After you've asked their opinions and let them explain how they work, leave the nest. If you have a strong company culture, you can be certain that if they have any questions, they'll be open, honest, and unafraid to come to you to ask. Remember, as professional leaders, we have an obligation to build up the people around us. By following these five simple ways, you can successfully encourage, empower, and engage your team, and help them reach their full potential. #Leadership #TeamBuilding #Empowerment 💡 Follow @OrganisationsThatMatter if you liked this post and want to see more like it! 👉 What's your favorite way to engage your team? Let us know in the comments! Full article on this topic: https://buff.ly/3FMzi8Q #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamBuilding #EmployeeEngagement #Motivation #BusinessGrowth

"It's crucial to acknowledge that at every turn, it's about the people." When I step into a company, as a consultant, regardless of the task, my first stop is always the people. From the receptionist to the CEO, everyone's insights matter. Why? Because it all starts with them. Your team isn't just a group of employees; they're your greatest assets. They hold the keys to understanding what's truly happening within the organization. They're the ones who feel the pulse of the company, who witness its highs and lows. Ever wondered why the CEO's vision isn't resonating? Or why there's resistance to change? The answers lie within your team. Their feelings, assumptions, and ideas provide invaluable insights that no amount of data analysis can match. So, instead of asking ChatGPT what's going on (ok, I do that too), take the time to talk to your people. Engage with them, listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences. You'll be amazed at what you uncover. And if you find that communication barriers are hindering open dialogue, don't hesitate to seek external support. Sometimes, a third-party facilitator (A-hum, whom am I talking about 👀) can provide the safe space needed for honest conversations to flourish. And for more insights on empathy-based leadership, check out this article: Empathy-Based Leadership Can Transform Your Team. https://lnkd.in/gSwzXffe

"Look Like the Leader You Are" by Lizzie Edwards---tips on personal branding, executive presence, and leadership development. 1. Authenticity Matters: Stay true to your values, personality, and unique strengths. Avoid trying to emulate someone else. 2. Dress for Success: Professionally and appropriately for your industry and role---enhance your executive presence and command respect. 3. Body Language: Communicate confidence, authority, and engagement---open and assertive posture. 4. Effective Communication Skills: Articulate ideas clearly, listen actively, and connect with others. 5. Embrace Change and Adaptability: New ideas, technologies, and ways of working to stay ahead of the curve and lead with agility. 6. Lead by Example: Set a positive example for others to follow. Demonstrate integrity, accountability, and resilience in your actions and decisions. 7. Seek Feedback and Self-Reflection: From colleagues, mentors, and team members to identify areas for growth and improvement. 8. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Develop empathy, self-awareness, and relationship-building skills. 9. Build a Strong Personal Brand: Unique value proposition, communicate it consistently across all channels, and cultivate a strong online presence to enhance your visibility and credibility. 10. Continual Learning and Development: Invest in your professional development through training, networking, and seeking out new challenges.

Looking to become a better leader? Check out these 10 tips to build trust and propel your team to success! - Authenticity is key: Share your strengths and areas of growth. - Empathy matters: Seek to understand your team's perspectives. - Walk the talk: Align your actions with your words. - Invite honest feedback: Create an open door for communication. - Follow through: Promises made, promises kept. - Respect confidentiality: Build a safe space to share. - Own your mistakes: Sincere apologies foster accountability. - Know your limits: Collaborate and learn together. - Respect boundaries: Promote work-life balance. - Kindness is power: Strengthen relationships, enhance trust. Click to find out more in my latest blog post! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gzm6QYBq

There’s been a clear shift in how we view leadership, especially in communications. It’s no longer about being the most polished or perfect. Today, authentic leadership, where you show vulnerability, admit mistakes, and lead with empathy is what truly resonates. In a world where transparency and trust are highly valued, authentic leaders are the ones breaking through the noise. It’s about being real, not rehearsed. Here’s my take on why this matters… Authentic leadership builds stronger teams, deeper connections, and greater trust—with clients, colleagues, and audiences alike. Perfection isn’t the goal anymore, authenticity is. Much of this comes from people becoming more skilled at spotting spin. As a society, we’ve grown more skeptical, and when something feels overly polished, it seems insincere. Inauthenticity stands out in a world that craves human connection. So, how do we lead authentically? ✅ Show your human side: Be open, honest, and transparent—even when things don’t go perfectly. ✅ Lead with empathy: Tune into your team’s emotional well-being and ask yourself, “Are they motivated? Are they learning? Are they growing?” ✅ Foster a culture of trust: Leadership today is about creating an environment where people feel valued and connected—not just commanded. I love this quote from Klaus Balkenhol, which sums it up perfectly… 💬 “There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss. Both are based on authority. A boss demands blind obedience, a leader earns authority through understanding and trust.” So, be a leader, not a boss. Lead with empathy, understanding, and authenticity. How are you showing up as an authentic leader in your communications work? Let’s discuss in the comments ⬇️