The Greatest Indicator of Successful Leadership

“We need to start by being transparent and willing to be assessed. Look at the data. Allow the data to drive our personal and professional improvement. And this is how we can ensure that we have a measurable way to increase our leadership skill sets,” explains Dr. Toby A. Travis. Dr. Toby is the Founder of Trusted, a framework for school improvement focused on developing trusted leaders. He is also an executive consultant, adjunct professor, and experienced K-12 teacher and administrator. Today, Dr. Toby discusses the greatest indicators of successful leadership and how the leadership skills he uses in the academic world can be applied universally.

The key indicator of any successful school, business, or organization is trusted leadership. Without a high level of trust of those in leadership positions, it will not be possible to achieve long term growth and success. When leaders are transparent and authentic with their employees, those employees feel more valued and are likely to be more dedicated to their job. Money is a great motivator, but not the end all and be all of contingencies. People actually are more likely to stay at a job with coworkers they like, a boss they feel respected by, and in a role that they enjoy doing more than they are to stay at a job with higher pay but lacks those qualities. For leaders to truly gain trust and prove they are authentic, they must ensure that what they say and do is always in alignment with their values and beliefs. They must truly believe that all people have intrinsic value and understand that everyone is on their own individual journey. When employees feel respected, understood, and free to make mistakes, they are actually able to be more innovative and the entire organization benefits.

Successful leadership really comes down to trust. If you can be authentically yourself and gain your employees’ trust, you can be a great leader. Learn more about how to improve your leadership skills, build trust, and encourage employees to be more innovative.

• “Without a high level of trust in those who are in leadership positions, organizations do not experience the kind of growth or success that they desire.” (6:47-6:56 | Dr. Toby)
• “The number one indicator of successful schools, organizations, and businesses is trusted leadership.” (8:05-8:11 | Dr. Toby)
• “The substructure of leadership is making sure we're supporting and connecting everything we say and do to who we say we are and what we believe. And when that holds together, now trust is there.” (15:03-15:16 | Dr. Toby)
• “It is in those organizations where employees feel that they can trust their leader to allow them to make mistakes. This is where we see the organizations with the highest levels of innovation.” (23:27-23:41 | Dr. Toby)
• “We need to start by being transparent and willing to be assessed. Look at the data. Allow the data to drive our personal and professional improvement. And this is how we can ensure that we have a measurable way to increase our leadership skill sets.” (32:45-33:05 | Dr. Toby)