Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
In more than 700 leadership coaching sessions, the skill that I notice is most lacking in leaders is empathy. Empathy is a misunderstood concept. It is not about feeling sad for someone (sympathy). It is not about being oblivious to emotion (apathy). At its simplest, it is about acknowledging and accepting. At its deepest, empathy is about being compassionate (taking action to care).
1. Emphasise the Value of Soft Skills
While technical skills are undoubtedly crucial, remind your team members of the equal importance of soft skills. Encourage them to understand that effective communication, empathy, and collaboration are vital for building strong working relationships and achieving common goals.
By highlighting the significance of these skills, you pave the way for a culture that values a well-rounded skill set.
2. Emphasise the Value of Working Hard
Technical skill is important, and so is a good work ethic. Technical skills should not be seen as a ticket to the top, in the shortest amount of time. A degree or a qualification is not all that it takes to be successful in leadership roles, and technical competence or time in a role are not great justifications or reasons for a promotion.
Although work life balance is not a thing, this should not be misconstrued as life-life balance. Hard work, even if it is just during working hours, must be encouraged from your technical team. And there might even need to be some overtime worked…
3. Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration
Encourage cross-functional collaboration within your organisation. Encourage your technically oriented team members to collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Working with people who possess different skill sets and perspectives can help them refine their communication and teamwork abilities.
Cross-functional projects can also provide unique learning experiences and opportunities for growth.
Bonus Tip: Tailor Your Leadership Approach
Recognise that each team member is unique and may respond differently to leadership styles. Tailor your approach to individual preferences. Some team members might thrive with more direct guidance and structured feedback, while others may prefer autonomy and occasional check-ins. By understanding their individual needs, you can build stronger, more productive relationships.
Remember, the key to engaging with technically skilled team members who may not excel in interpersonal communication, lies in promoting a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
By emphasising the value of soft skills, providing development opportunities, and fostering cross-functional partnerships, you can empower your team members to grow and contribute to the success of your organisation.
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If you would like to learn more about Anton or The Guinea Group, please click here to book into Anton’s calendar, to:
UPGRADE your Mindset
UPSKILL your Leadership
UPLIFT your Teams