Leaders are born, but they can also be created. That’s the message from Roger Black, Olympian and former captain of the UK Athletics team.
Roger is over in Jersey next week to speak at the International Banking Forum.
‘Everything I’ve done since, as well as what I learnt in sport, tells me you can have all the talent in the world but it’s the behaviour and mindset that makes you a leader,’ he said.
‘Leadership and management are quite different. Management is more hands on and day to day, whereas leadership is about vision and people buying into you and wanting to work with you.’
Roger’s Leadership Tips
- Have a growth mindset
Those in sport are always looking to improve. To get to the top and stay there is tricky. The concept of continuous improvement and marginal gain applies to good leaders as well as athletes.
- Have absolute clarity with your goals
In sport it’s very simple, you know what you’re aiming for, but in the real world it’s a lot harder and easier to get distracted. To prevent distraction, clarity is critical. Be very clear about where you are going.
- Surround yourself with good people
Most leaders recognise the importance of the team. If you want to achieve something big you are far more likely to achieve that with good people around you, than you are on your own.
- Little changes make all the difference
Sometimes it’s quite lonely and looking for massive changes is too hard. It’s the little things that can make all the difference.
- Have passion
Good leaders love what they’re doing and know the reasons why they are doing it. Be the best you can at what you are doing.
- Roger Black, is talking at the Future of Wealth Conference on 21 June, sponsored by PwC and Pinel Advocates.
