Leadership Philosophy: Leading Like a LASER

"Lead like a laser, with focused resolve and intention, but never forget your source of energy—your team, customers, and stakeholders—else your laser-like leadership will fade like a dull flashlight on a sunny day."

I heard that quote at a leadership conference many years ago, and it continues to resonate with me today. It perfectly captures the essence of my leadership philosophy. In fact, LASER is an acronym for the five key components of leadership that I use both when teaching students and when discussing leadership with my two daughters. These components are **Learning**, **Accountability**, **Serving**, **Engaging**, and **Resiliency**.

1. Learning

As John F. Kennedy once said, "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." This quote was part of a speech he prepared for delivery in Dallas in 1963, and it highlights a foundational element of leadership: the willingness to learn. A leader must never stop learning, must always remain open to new and innovative ideas. Leaders who believe they know everything or who resist change are not truly leading; they are merely maintaining the status quo.

I experienced the value of this principle early in my career as a community college Mechanical Engineering department chairperson. One of my team members approached me with an idea to create a robotics showcase in a highly visible area of our building—a large open window space that students and the public frequently passed. The previous department chair had dismissed his suggestion, but he remained persistent. I chose to listen. The result was a captivating display of robotics, activated by a push-button that triggered a sequence of Rube Goldberg-type actions. This creative showcase became a powerful recruitment tool, sparking the interest of many undeclared students who became inspired to pursue engineering after viewing it.

The lesson here is clear: learning and being receptive to others' ideas can drive innovation and success in ways you might never anticipate.

2. Accountability

Accountability is a cornerstone of effective leadership. It is a two-way street: not only are team members accountable to me as their leader, but I am equally accountable to them. This mutual accountability fosters a sense of trust and responsibility that is vital for any productive, empowered team.

When accountability flows both ways, it creates a culture where people feel responsible for both their successes and their failures. Leaders should not shy away from owning their mistakes, as this sets a powerful example for the team. When a leader is transparent and accountable, it encourages others to follow suit, leading to a culture of integrity and collective success.

3. Serving

Mahatma Gandhi is one of my personal heroes, and his philosophy of servant leadership has deeply influenced my approach. To lead is to serve. It's easy for leaders to get caught up in directing and delegating, but how often do we stop to ask, "How can I help you today?" or "How can I make your job easier?"

These simple questions, posed to team members, colleagues, and even clients, can foster trust and loyalty. They signal that you value the people who work alongside you and that you’re invested in their success as much as your own. In my experience, servant leadership empowers teams to take initiative, boosting both morale and productivity. When employees feel supported by their leaders, they are more likely to go above and beyond in their roles.

4. Engaging

One of the most critical roles of a leader is building relationships, a practice I call ‘Friend-raising’. Successful leadership isn’t just about driving results or meeting targets; it’s about engaging with people—staff, stakeholders, and the communities your organization serves.

Leaders must listen actively and authentically, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard. This engagement builds trust and helps form strong internal and external relationships that are vital to an organization’s long-term success. Those responsible for growing a business should not only be focused on increasing revenue but should also prioritize strengthening relationships with clients, partners, and employees. It’s this combination of financial performance and human connection that distinguishes a truly impactful organization.

5. Resiliency

Resiliency is the final component in the LASER acronym, but it’s no less important than the others. A resilient leader understands that progress cannot happen without risk, failure, and change. It’s about embracing setbacks and using them as opportunities to learn and grow. 

Resilient leaders reward their teams for being proactive, even if their initiatives don’t always succeed. This kind of leadership creates a culture where people aren’t afraid to take calculated risks. Not only does a leader need to bounce back from adversity, but they must also help their team members do the same. Together, you gather the learnings from failures and move forward with renewed energy and purpose.

In today’s rapidly changing world, resiliency is crucial. Leaders must continuously adapt to new challenges, whether they stem from technological advances, market shifts, or unforeseen crises. A resilient organization is one that thrives on change and emerges stronger after every obstacle.

Conclusion

These five characteristics—Learning, Accountability, Serving, Engaging, and Resiliency—form the foundation of my leadership philosophy and guide the work I do in leadership and team development consulting. They are more than just principles; they are actionable strategies that can transform teams and organizations.

Are you ready to maximize your team’s potential and minimize risks? Let’s connect today for a free consultation and start building the resilient, empowered team that will drive your organization forward.