Tom's Leadership Course

  In our car we know when the fuel gauge shows empty, we aren’t going to get much further, no matter how clear we are on the directions. The same is true for our teams, so what is the fuel that powers performance and stamina in our teams?  This week we are looking at motivation and engagement in a team. There is an old cliché that it is either dangling a carrot or wielding a stick, but you probably already understand that motivation is far more nuanced than this. This week I will introduce you to the total motivation model, this will give you an understanding of the drivers that help your team to be motivated. As a leader or future leader, this will give you an advantage if you can align the motivators to how your team are motivated.  Understanding the Total Motivation model There are several different models that look at motivation (some notable ones are Maslow’s hierarchy and Herzberg two factor theory). I want today to discuss total motivation theory, developed by Neel...

One of the impactful leadership skills is to give effective feedback. Whether it’s acknowledging good work or addressing areas for improvement, feedback is essential for development, both for individuals and teams. When delivered thoughtfully and appropriately, it clarifies expectations, reinforces positive actions, and guides professional development. This week we are looking at the skill of providing constructive feedback that truly drives growth and addresses performance issues fairly.  Effective feedback Feedback doesn’t always help the situation, there are key differences between constructive and destructive feedback. To ensure that feedback is a catalyst for growth in your team lets explore the differences between constructive and destructive approaches: Constructive feedback: This type of feedback is focused on specific behaviours or outcomes and is delivered with the intent to help the recipient. It is often accompanied by suggestions for development and is provided in a su...

As leaders we often find ourselves with an ever growing list of tasks to achieve. When the workload intensifies delegation can seem like a simple solution to get some time back. However, while task distribution is a part of delegation, without empowerment your team will be held back from achieving their best.  True delegation is about empowering the team. It’s about equipping them with the clarity, resources and trust they need to take ownership and deliver key results. It’s about fostering development, building collective capacity, uniting the team towards a shared goal and amplifying their potential.  This week, we’ll explore the art of delegation as a powerful tool for growth, both for the leader and for the team as a whole. We’ll move beyond the basic concept to assigning task to understand how thoughtful delegation can truly empower and elevate those around us.  The benefits of empowered delegation Considering how we delegate unlocks a wealth of advantages for both t...

In the dynamic world of leadership, we can often find ourselves focusing on performance, metrics and goals. Yet the true engine of success lies in the intangible yet very powerful forces of trust and rapport. These aren’t just abstract concepts; they are important building blocks of leadership and team cohesion.  Think about the cohesive high performing teams that you have been a part of. Chances are they are built on a sense of mutual trust and positive rapport. Team members felt a sense of psychological safety, understood and connected to each other. As leaders cultivating this environment is not a secondary task but a core responsibility that directly impacts the team’s performance and longevity.  Trust and Rapport - driving results Trust and rapport aren’t isolated qualities, they directly feed into each other, creating a positive cycle that drives tangible business outcomes: Enhanced teamwork and collaboration: Trust fosters psychological safety in the workplace, a key en...