The Forgiving Leader
By:Beth Flynn, Tuesday, June 28th, 2016
"Leaders are responsible for creating a culture of forgiveness, and creating such a culture has many advantages. To begin with, forgiveness builds loyalty and good corporate citizenship. In organizations with a forgiveness culture, people are more likely to make an extra effort, which has important consequences for the bottom line. If people feel that they will not be forgiven for the mistakes they make, they are not going to be at their most productive; they will not take risks and will waste energy worrying about past transgressions. Forgiveness also helps transgressors to have a more positive outlook on the future. People are more likely to be open, and less likely to hide mistakes, transgressions and wrongdoings when they operate in a forgiving environment. They will be more likely to create a coaching culture, a way of interacting that will have a positive effect on the bottom line. Forgiveness helps create authentic organizations, places of work where people feel their best.
To energize their people, truly effective leaders need to be at peace with themselves and past and present events in their life, which includes forgiving others for transgressions, and not bearing grudges. When we let go of our grudges, we build collaboration reduce conflict, and release a lot of pent-up energy that can be used to move countries, institutions, organizations, teams, and individuals forward. True forgiveness supports the retention of valued employees, allows greater creativity and innovation, leads to increased profitability, and generates greater openness to change (p. 46-47)."
From: Vries, Manfred F.R. Kets de. (2014). INSEAD Business Press: Mindful Leadership Coaching: Journeys into the Interior. Basingstoke, GBR: Palgrave Macmillan.
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Tags: leaders, leadership, managers, organizational development, forgives, culture, loyalty, collaboration, conflict, employees
Tags: leaders, leadership, managers, organizational development, forgives, culture, loyalty, collaboration, conflict, employees
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