Four Key Pillars for Leaders

In this blog, I will talk about the four pillars that every manager and leader should be aware of and master in managing it.

Photo by davide ragusa on Unsplash

As a manager or a leader, it is important to note that it just isn’t guiding the team or making decisions. It is more than that.

A leader needs to manage the pillars that lay the foundation of your team.

Your ability to navigate and manage various aspects of the pillars will take you to success.

In this blog, I will talk about the 4 essential pillars that can be remembered using the acronym L.E.A.D - Learning, Energy, Asset, and Development.

Why 4 pillars are important?

These 4 pillars lay the foundation for your team. These are the core of your team. Hence as a leader, your role will be to manage these 4 pillars effectively.

Following are the key reasons why these 4 pillars are important.

Continuous development
Constantly acquiring new knowledge and learning about new trends helps you to stay ahead in your industry.
Sustained Motivation
Motivating your team members consistently, helps your team to get inspired which will drive them toward continuous improvement and innovation.
Optimized finances
Strategic financial planning will ensure the resources are utilized effectively.
Holistic success
Long-term success is needed. A balance of all four pillars will create a robust framework for resilience in your leadership to drive towards long-term success.

Pillar#1: Learning

Learning is a crucial aspect for both the leader and their teams.

Acquiring knowledge consistently fosters innovation and being prepared for the future.

The leader and the team should invest approximately 40% of their focus on acquiring new knowledge.

Some of the points to note about the learning pillar are as follows.

Lifelong learning
As a leader, you should commit to lifelong learning. This sets an example for your team members. A team that learns together grows together.
Learning culture
Promoting a learning culture within your team will help team members grow personally and professionally. Learning efforts can be in the form of attending workshops, webinars, exploring new technologies, etc.
Learn to apply
The learning must be in the context of the team’s work. This will help in applying the newly learned knowledge. The continuous application of learning back to work will help in fostering innovation.

Pillar#2: Energy

Energy is the driving force behind everything a leader and their team want to accomplish.

Managing energy is crucial for sustaining high performance and creating a positive work environment.

The leader and the team should invest approximately 30% of their focus on managing the energy pillar.

Some of the points to note about the energy pillar are as follows.

Prioritise health
A leader’s energy levels directly influence their ability to lead effectively. Regular exercise can be a healthy habit for yourself and your team.
Proactive stress management
As leaders, ensure regular rejuvenation for a consistent positive state of mind. This will help you to avoid burnout often which can lead to health issues.
Balance work and personal life
A balance between work and personal life is needed. This will help to maintain energy levels over the long term.

Pillar#3: Assets

Assets represent the tools, resources, and investments that, leader and their team utilize to achieve their goals.

Effective management of assets ensures that the team has the necessary resources to perform efficiently.

The leader and the team should invest approximately 10% of their focus on assessing the tools, resources and investments regularly.

Some of the points to note about the assets pillar are as follows.

Invest in tools and technologies
Investing in the tools and technologies ensures reduced time to market the products. By regularly assessing the tools, the latest technologies are adopted for better outcomes from the team.
Vendor management
Managing a strong relationship with vendors who provide the latest technology and tools will help get access to the best resources in the form of beta releases, architects, etc. This will help in delivering future-ready products.
Resource efficiency
Efficiently utilizing resources helps optimize costs and reduce waste. Considering resource efficiency during the design phase encourages the team to find cost-effective solutions.

Pillar#4: Development

Development is an ongoing process for professional and personal growth. For an ever-changing and evolving business, development becomes important for continuous improvement and adaptability.

Investing in development helps the teams to be ahead of the industry trends. This will help ensure success in delivering complex products in the modern world.

The leader and the team should invest approximately 20% of their focus on assessing the tools, resources and investments regularly.

Some of the points to note about the development pillar are as follows.

Opportunity for growth
Set a clear path for career progression for the team. Offering opportunities for team members to take on new responsibilities keeps the members invested in their roles.
Training and Development
Regular training sessions and development programs are essential to keep the team members' skills up-to-date. The training and development should include both technical and non-technical skills.
Feedback based environment
Encourage a culture where constructive feedback is provided to the team members regularly. This helps the members to identify areas of improvement. Also, seek feedback for your own improvement.

Final thoughts

As a leader being aware of the 4 pillars will help to manage the team better for outcomes that are required to fulfill the organization's goals.

The 4 pillars will guide every leader to focus on key elements of the team and continuously improve them. This will ensure the leader’s growth.

A leader must look for long-term gains rather than short-term gains. By fostering the 4 pillars, L.E.A.D will ensure long-term gains.

Summary of 4 pillars.
1. Learning - helps the team be innovative and prepared for the future.
2. Energy - helps in creating a resilient and high-performing team.
3. Assets - helps ensure the team has everything it needs to succeed.
4. Development - helps to build a resilient and forward-thinking team.

Happy Management!