How to help others be their best selves at work

Organizations and teams find their strength in their members. But great teams in sports and business require more than talented people. Teams are not the simple sum of their members. Rather, achieving the collective value requires everyone contributing their unique qualities and being their best selves.

Anu Aiyengar, Global Head of M&A at JP Morgan, lists three simple rules for leaders at every level. Be present. Come prepared. Always contribute. She argues that leaders throughout the organization must help their team members to “become the best version of themselves.” It is not changing them or asking them to be someone they are not. Being their best means being present and speaking up. Much has been said about the benefits of diverse teams, but diversity of thought provides little value if people remain silent. Organizations benefit from diverse teams when everyone contributes.

To hear Anu Aiyengar’s perspective on the market outlook for the back half of 2023, watch my recent interview. We discuss the drivers of future merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, and how leaders can help bring out the best in their teams.

Leadership Notes is a blog and video series on leadership.  Through interviews with leaders from both the private and public sector, Johnson examines key leadership issues like empowerment, team development, and cultural dexterity.  The blog also addresses topics such as learning from failure, the importance of friendship, and the role leaders play in developing organizational culture.

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