Aggressive and combative leadership signals that success is a zero sum game, leading people to believe they must compete and ensure others fail in order to succeed. This undermines collaboration at every level in the organization. Leaders who are determined to be in charge and prioritize their own success make it difficult for people to work together and become more than the sum of their parts. As a role model, leaders set the tone for whether the world is a zero sum game or if collaboration can make everyone better. Trusting and delegating authority to others is crucial in promoting collaboration and enhancing productivity.
Kaja Kallas is the current Prime Minister of Estonia – and the first woman to hold the position. Her perceptive communication and bold action against the threat of Russian authoritarianism has bolstered her reputation as a leader we should all be paying attention to. The Prime Minister talks to Adam about what we can learn from the past when thinking about future consequences, the risks of being inauthentic, and what qualities distinguish the best leaders from the rest. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts