Should businesses pay attention to their impact on the people and planet around them? Abundant case studies, longitudinal financial data, and today’s best-in-class leadership thinking demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that indeed they must.
Stakeholder engagement beyond investors is no longer a nice-to-have. Equitable communication, deep collaboration, and mutually beneficial innovation with suppliers, customers, and policy-makers is now a critical element for businesses’ survival much less success. And, it requires delicate handling of drastically different perspectives, approaches, and styles.
As organizations grapple with this delicate balance between impact-seeking initiatives and potential backlash, one leadership archetype emerges as a cornerstone of collaboration: the Playmaker. These individuals are celebrated by The GC Index framework for their natural energy to unite and empower teams. Inasmuch, your colleagues with Playmaker energy are uniquely equipped to navigate the complexities of conscious business, bridging the gap between action-oriented corporate responsibility and the criticisms of excessive “wokeness.”
Here are three compelling ways that executives can leverage teammates with dominant Playmaker energy to avoid misunderstandings or even scandal, while effectively increasing their organizations’ positive impact.
1. Aligning Diverse Stakeholders for High-Impact Progress
Playmakers excel at bringing individuals together and igniting collaborative efforts. Their innate drive to see and leverage the complementarities within a group makes them instrumental in stakeholder engagement and collaboration. In an era where authentic corporate social responsibility is integral to success, Playmakers have natural energy to harmoniously integrate profit and purpose and the leaders who represent these divergent interests.
By leveraging the collaborative strengths of Playmakers, organizations can nurture a culture that transcends individual interests and focuses on shared objectives. This approach not only attracts diverse talents but also sets the stage for effective intersectoral collaboration. Executives committed to making a substantial impact should recognize and nurture Playmakers within their leadership ranks to advance their organizations’ ESG performance.
2. Navigating Complexity Through Interdisciplinary Agility
Social and environmental challenges often require multifaceted solutions that cut across disciplines and sectors. Playmakers, known for their adeptness at collaboration, become essential assets in crafting interdisciplinary responses to complex issues. These leaders thrive in dynamic environments, using their interpersonal skills to engage and align individuals with diverse expertise, skills, and perspectives.
In the face of multifaceted global challenges such as climate change and social inequality, organizations need leaders who can navigate complexity with ease. Playmakers bring a unique approach to the table, recognizing what’s needed when, and who has the requisite talents, wisdom, or position. In this way, Playmakers equip their organizations to tackle complex issues head-on.
3. Inspirational Leaders Catalyzing Collaborative Change
Playmakers can be recognized by their drive to inspire and motivate others for effective collaboration. They are energized by propelling teams towards shared goals, such as those related to social and environmental impact. Playmakers excel at building strong, collaborative networks both within and outside the organization: exactly the approach required to mitigate companies’ negative impacts and find opportunities for positive impact.
People with Playmaker energy are very likely to have influence well beyond the walls of their employer, reaching into stakeholder communities and society at large. By empowering Playmakers, executives position their organizations as catalysts for positive societal transformation through efficient and effective collaboration. This not only enhances the company’s reputation but also establishes capacity for sustainable impact.
Invest in Playmakers for Collaborative Sustainability
In a world where our most pressing challenges demand collaborative solutions, the Playmaker’s role in leadership is particularly critical. These individuals, driven to connect people and foster efficient cooperation, are uniquely positioned to help recognize companies’ most potent opportunities for impact. For executives who seek a lasting impact, investing in Playmakers as conveners, facilitators, and cross-functional project managers is a commitment to building a sustainable and socially responsible organization.
To find out more about your team’s unique proclivities and how to get the best contributions out of them individually and together, contact us here.