How great leaders build great people

With Yorkshire day just round the corner (1st August) and lots of people investing in their leaders at the moment, I started to think about great Yorkshire leaders so started to research through that great encyclopaedia – Google. However, this was a lot harder than I thought because I really had to think about what constitutes a leader. Is it a politician? Plenty of those from Yorkshire including previous Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Or is it an explorer such as Amy Johnston or Captain James Cook? What about a sportsperson like the ashes winning cricket captain Len Hutton? Also, a great leader for me isn’t about someone in the public eye, it can be a person that’s had a profound impact on a person’s life.

The list goes on, so to help, I looked at it another way, not so much about what makes a leader, but how they make you feel.

Great leaders often evoke a range of positive emotions and feelings that inspire and motivate those around them. Here are some common feelings great leaders instil:

Inspired: This is such a big word however great leaders have a vision that excites and motivates others. They communicate their goals and ambitions in a way that makes people feel passionate and enthusiastic about the future.

Valued: Effective leaders help their team members to feel appreciated and recognised for their contributions. They acknowledge individual efforts and achievements, fostering a sense of worth and belonging and they know how their team members like to receive praise.

Confident: By providing clear guidance, support, and encouragement, great leaders boost the confidence of their team. They empower individuals to take on challenges and believe in their abilities and

Trusted: Trust is a cornerstone of good leadership. When leaders are honest, transparent, and reliable, they build a foundation of trust that makes people feel secure and respected.

Motivated: Great leaders know how to motivate their team, whether through setting challenging yet attainable goals, offering incentives, or creating a positive and dynamic work environment.

Supported: A good leader provides the necessary resources, training, and support to help their team succeed. They are approachable and willing to help, making people feel backed and encouraged.

Empowered: Great leaders delegate authority and responsibility, allowing team members to take ownership of their work. This empowerment fosters innovation and personal growth.

Respected: Effective leaders earn respect through their actions, decisions, and behaviour. When people respect their leader, they are more likely to follow and support them willingly.

Engaged: Leaders who involve their team in decision-making processes and listen to their input create a sense of engagement and investment in the outcome. We see this a lot through our engagement surveys.

Safe: Great leaders create an environment where people feel safe to express their ideas, take risks, and make mistakes without fear of judgment or retribution.

This is quite a list and if you’re thinking that there are gaps in your leadership, then gives us a call. We run a 6 monthly leadership programme for new and aspiring leaders called the Ultimate Managers Toolkit and our flagship programme, Remarkable Leaders which is an outdoor experiential programme that helps to understand the leader you are and the potential you have to achieve all those positive emotions list above in those you lead.

Previous participants who have already attended one of our programmes have said

“This programme is life-changing – I had never spent time on considering how I lead not just others but myself – thank you for this incredible opportunity”

“This course has had a big impact on me. It’s empowered me to do really important self-reflection on who I am as a leader and continue to grow within work and life. The trainers have been sensational themselves, offering a really thought provoking and practical course which has really built my skills and confidence. I’m also very grateful to my fellow learners for great insights in the sessions”.

And my great Yorkshire Leader was my PE teacher Wayne Isherwood, a great example of someone who was firm, fair and true to his word.