Recently, Mike Phillips had an opportunity to interview an absolute powerhouse guest in Michelle McLain. Michelle weighs heavily in her leadership journey on relationships and that relational leadership is the key to growing your leadership and influence.

Leadership styles have evolved over time to meet the demands of a more dynamic workforce. Relational leadership has really come about and gained more prominence in recent years. Unlike traditional authoritarian leadership, which relies on hierarchy and top-down decision-making, relational leadership places a strong emphasis on building and nurturing meaningful connections with team members. On this episode of The Leadership Toolkit (shared below), Michelle leans in at several points on the power of relationships.

Relational leadership is founded on the idea that effective leadership is not just about managing tasks and achieving goals, and it is also about fostering positive relationships. Leaders who adopt this approach prioritize open communication, active listening, and empathy. They seek to understand their team members on a personal level, recognizing that each individual brings unique perspectives, skills, and experiences to the table.

In fact during the show, I asked Michelle what some of the key traits were paramount for a leader to have that she would follow and she shared this:

  • Empathy. Get to know people. Know them really for who they are and where they are in life.
  • Delegation. Great leaders trust people. Through assigning tasks to others and trusting them to get it done more gets accomplished. It’s important to play to other’s strengths, not just your own.
  • Follow through. Simply stated, do what you say you will do.

One of the core principles of relational leadership is trust.

Leaders who build trust within their teams create an environment where team members feel valued and supported. When trust is present, employees are more likely to collaborate, take initiative, and share innovative ideas. This ultimately leads to improved team performance and organizational success.

Relational leaders are skilled communicators.

Rather than just being focused on conveying directives, relational leaders, are keen on listening to their team members and making positive change. By actively listening to concerns, feedback, and suggestions, these leaders demonstrate that they genuinely care about their team’s well-being and growth. This two-way communication fosters a sense of inclusivity and belonging among team members.

Relational leaders also excel at conflict resolution.

Instead of avoiding conflicts or imposing their own solutions, they encourage open discussions and collaborative problem-solving. This approach helps in resolving issues more effectively while strengthening relationships within the team.

By focusing on trust, effective communication, conflict resolution, and continuous learning, relational leaders pave the way for improved team dynamics, employee satisfaction, and organizational success. Businesses continue to evolve and the importance of relational leadership will continue to take precedence and grow.

Check out the full episode featuring Michelle McLain below.

Check out past episodes of The Leadership Toolkit on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform!