What’s Your Leadership Philosophy

What’s Your Leadership Philosophy

By Mark Wager

If you want to become a successful leader, it’s essential that you possess a well-defined leadership philosophy. There are many types of leaders—some quiet, some loud, some authoritative, some consultative—and the list goes on. When you consider the different types of teams, industries, and challenges they face, the permutations of leadership styles become endless. This variety is precisely why it’s crucial to make clear to your team what type of leader you are. The best way to do this is to have a leadership philosophy that is clear, consistent, and reflective of who you are.

Your leadership philosophy is a blueprint that not only helps your team understand what you are trying to achieve, but it also provides a foundation upon which you can build your skills as a leader. Far too often, I see talented individuals moving into leadership roles without a plan—relying on hard work and common sense alone. While those traits are admirable, they are not a recipe for greatness. Leadership is a skill, one that requires a specialised approach. Hard work alone won’t get you there, and as we’ve often seen, common sense is not always as common as we’d like. You need more—a lot more—and it all starts with having a leadership philosophy.

In this article, I will explain how you can develop a leadership philosophy that is unique to you and effective for your team. This process begins with answering four fundamental questions: What are your values? What is your blueprint for success? What kind of culture do you want to foster within your team? And what are your expectations for both yourself and your team? By reflecting on these questions, you will lay the groundwork to become a great leader.

Your Values

The first question you need to ask yourself is, what are your values? These are the fundamental principles that guide you in your actions and decisions. They are the non-negotiable qualities that you are not willing to sacrifice, even if it means not achieving success in the traditional sense. When I coach leaders, I often ask them to identify five core values they would like people to use when describing them—perhaps not today, but when they have reached their highest aspirations as a leader.

These values, whether they be integrity, courage, empathy, or innovation, will form the filter through which all your decisions will pass. Your values will guide your decision-making process, making it more consistent and aligned with your leadership philosophy. If your team understands your values, they will better understand why you make certain decisions, and this will help build trust and alignment within the group. Having values that you stand by, even when times are tough, will also show your team that you are a leader of principle, not convenience.

Your Blueprint for Success

Success doesn’t come by accident. It requires intention and a well-thought-out strategy. Your leadership philosophy should include a blueprint for success, outlining how you and your team are going to achieve your goals. This doesn’t have to be an overly complex plan, but it should be clear, concise, and actionable.

When discussing your blueprint for success with your team, avoid ambiguous language such as “we’ll try” or “if things go well.” Instead, speak with certainty and clarity. A confident leader who communicates a solid plan inspires belief. Break down your strategy into digestible, actionable steps so your team knows exactly what they need to do to achieve the desired outcome. This blueprint is not just about setting lofty goals but about showing the team how those goals will be reached through a series of manageable steps.

Remember, as a leader, you are not only responsible for creating the vision, but you must also create the roadmap to get there. If your team can understand your plan and see the path forward, they will be more motivated to rally behind you.

Your Footprint for the Team

The culture of your team is a direct reflection of your leadership. The next question to consider is, what type of team culture do you want to cultivate? Are you striving for a collaborative, fun, and open environment, or do you prefer a more structured, results-oriented approach? The culture you create will shape how your team works together, how they handle challenges, and how they interact with each other and with you as their leader.

One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is allowing a team culture to develop organically without intentional direction. Without clear guidance, teams often fall into patterns of behaviour that are not conducive to success, simply because they were left unchecked. This is why it’s so important to set the tone from day one and establish the behaviours that are acceptable and encouraged. Do you want a culture of constant feedback and improvement, or do you prefer a more hierarchical structure where communication flows through formal channels? It’s up to you to decide and then clearly communicate your expectations.

The culture you build will have a lasting impact on your team’s productivity, satisfaction, and long-term success. As a leader, your role is to ensure that your leadership philosophy includes a clear vision for the kind of environment you want to create. This will save you time and effort, as you won’t have to constantly course-correct the team’s behaviours later on.

Your Expectations

The final question you need to ask yourself is, what are your expectations—for your team and for yourself? One of the most important aspects of leadership is managing expectations. People need to know what is expected of them in order to perform at their best, and they also need to understand what they can expect from you as their leader.

Clear expectations prevent misunderstandings and give people a framework within which to operate. This is especially important when it comes to defining what great performance looks like and how it will be rewarded. On the flip side, you also need to set expectations for how mistakes will be handled. Telling your team not to make mistakes is unrealistic, especially if you expect them to push boundaries and strive for excellence. Instead, make it clear how you expect the team to learn from their mistakes and how they can avoid repeating them.

As a leader, you also need to hold yourself to high standards. Your team will look to you as a role model. If you expect a certain level of dedication, professionalism, and effort from your team, you must demonstrate those qualities in your own behaviour. Leadership is not about giving orders from the sidelines—it’s about leading from the front and showing your team what great performance looks like through your own actions.

People don’t leave companies; they leave leaders. The role of a leader is a vital component in any team’s success, and when that leader is new, it can take time for the team to adjust to a new way of working. However, if you have a clear leadership philosophy, you will significantly shorten the adjustment period for yourself and your team. By defining your values, creating a blueprint for success, cultivating a positive team culture, and setting clear expectations, you will lay the foundation for strong leadership and team cohesion. A well-defined leadership philosophy not only provides clarity for your team, but it also gives you the framework to lead with purpose, confidence, and consistency.