“My philosophy is, put your employees first, your customers second and your investors third and, in the end, everyone will be happy.”
Virgin Boss, Sir Richard Branson, has nailed another PR coup. Setting the cat amongst the pigeons and challenging employers to discard the traditional holiday contractual allowance, he has dared to suggest that staff should be able to take as much holiday as they like.
At first glance this is a great way of empowering the workforce and trusting them to have more ownership of their work-life balance. I will watch his ‘experiment’ with interest as he has initially rolled out this new policy to 170 of this staff (his total workforce has more than 50000 employees around the world). The clever proviso is that any absence should not damage business or ‘their careers’.
Sir Richard Branson is a great case study in modern leadership, and we often cite him at my360plus as a great example when we are discussing the ‘involve’ and ‘inspire’ clusters of high performance leadership behaviours:
Involving Leadership Behaviours:
- Encourages a ‘hands-off’ approach to management so that employees make their own decisions. Branson trusts and empowers his teams.
- Makes employees feel truly valued and appreciated. This increases company loyalty and provides a true sense of purpose.
- Encourages communication and feedback. Did you know that he even gives out his phone number to all employees encouraging ideas, suggestions or comments?!
- Actively listens: he is very approachable, and is able to connect with people at all levels. Feedback is truly encouraged and valued.
- Seeks to always look for the best in people. He moves people into different jobs within the organisation to transfer, develop and maximise skills.
Inspiring Leadership Behaviours:
- Encourages his employees to be innovative and take risks. Branson himself is not afraid to make mistakes, taking on challenges, demonstrating determination and persistence to bounce back and learn.
- Promotes a clear vision that is consistently and clearly communicated – the ‘Virgin Brand’.
- Builds confidence in the company’s potential for success.
- Is a role model. Branson is motivating, energetic and ‘walks the talk’. “If you love what you do and if you believe in what you do, others will share your enthusiasm.”
- Has an innovative approach to business: likes to break ‘rules’ and do things differently.
- Values and rewards truly exceptional customer service.
“You don’t learn to walk by following rules,” Branson says. “You learn by doing, and by falling over.”