LEADER Framework: The Key to Thriving Teams Through Recognition and Valuing Your People

In our live session, We had the pleasure of exploring Andrea Tesares' insightful LEADER acronym, a framework designed to guide leaders towards excellence in both personal and professional spheres. Santiago Toledo Ordóñez led the discussion with Andrea, diving deep into each letter of the acronym, illustrating how each element plays a critical role in effective leadership.

Understanding LEADER: A Comprehensive Approach

The acronym LEADER stands for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Advancing, Doing, and Efficient Reporting, all of which are essential for creating a structured, goal-oriented approach to leadership. Here's how it breaks down:

1. Leadership: The session emphasized the importance of defining a clear objective. As Andrea wisely put it, "Without an objective, you don’t know what you’re running towards. You’re in a race, but you have no idea what the finish line looks like." Leadership is about having a vision, understanding the purpose, and inspiring others to follow. Goals may differ—some are short sprints, others are marathons—but what’s crucial is having that end goal in sight and a plan of action to reach it.

2.Entrepreneurship: Leaders should foster a culture of innovation, autonomy, and creativity among their teams. Andrea discussed how it’s vital for leaders to allow their team members the freedom to bring new ideas to the table. This empowerment builds not only trust but also encourages employees to take ownership of their work.

3.Advancing: Progressing with a clear agenda is critical. Andrea mentioned the need for leaders to have a well-outlined work plan and to follow it diligently, ensuring that each step brings the team closer to the goal. The focus is on moving forward, even if the pace varies depending on circumstances.

4. Doing: This section focused on time management, a universal equalizer. "Time is the most egalitarian resource," Andrea pointed out, stressing that every human has the same 24 hours, regardless of their circumstances. She highlighted how setting a clear timeline for goals—whether it’s annual personal goals or daily work tasks—is key to productivity. Moreover, the critical question is not just how time is allocated but how it’s used. As she noted, “Being busy doesn’t mean being productive.”

Leaders must ensure that their teams use time wisely, focusing on activities that drive results. This involves effective scheduling and delegating tasks appropriately. Andrea also discussed the dangers of micromanagement, emphasizing that leadership is about providing guidance without overstepping into micromanaging every task. "No one likes having a ‘policeman’ hovering over them," she remarked, explaining the delicate balance between oversight and autonomy.

5. Efficient Reporting: Andrea introduced the importance of establishing a culture of reporting and feedback. During the "Doing" phase, teams should regularly report their progress, but it is the leader's responsibility to ensure that these reports are reviewed and feedback is provided. "No one likes to fill out reports that just sit in a drawer," she said, underscoring the frustration employees feel when their hard work goes unnoticed.

Andrea advocates for weekly check-ins and follow-ups, using tools like Trello, Asana, or Microsoft Teams to track progress and ensure accountability. The key is to use these reports to inform decision-making and further team progress, fostering a transparent and efficient work environment.

Time as a Critical Resource

A central theme of the session was the proper management of time. Andrea stressed that time is a resource that, while equal for all, is often undervalued. Leaders must be diligent in helping their teams understand the importance of time allocation, and how every minute spent should contribute to the overall goal.

One of the most impactful ideas discussed was Andrea's philosophy on time management: “What you do during the established time frame is crucial. It's not just about having a schedule, but about making sure that every action during that time drives value.” She emphasized the importance of creating blocks of time for specific tasks, especially during the most productive hours of the day, and following through with efficient reporting practices.

The Cost of Inefficient Time Use: Employee Turnover

Santiago also brought up the topic of employee turnover, highlighting how poor time management can severely impact organizational efficiency. The time required to train a new employee, he noted, is often underestimated, and this lack of preparation can cost companies not only money but also valuable time.

Andrea agreed, pointing out that the cost of re-training, onboarding, and bringing a new hire to full productivity is a time investment that is often overlooked. Leaders must recognize this and take steps to create environments where employees feel valued and are less likely to leave. This ties directly into the LEADER model—by setting clear goals, allowing autonomy, and ensuring consistent follow-ups, leaders can reduce turnover and increase retention.

Final Thoughts

The session concluded with a focus on the importance of feedback and continual improvement. Leaders should never underestimate the power of constructive feedback and should always use it as a tool for growth. Andrea's final point was simple yet profound: "With honey, you attract more than with vinegar." Positive reinforcement and clear, actionable feedback are key to building a team that not only performs but thrives.

As leaders, it’s important to remember that success is a journey, and each step taken with intention and purpose will lead to the ultimate goal. By adopting Andrea Tesares' LEADER approach, leaders can ensure they are effectively managing their teams, time, and resources, driving both personal and organizational success.

This article is part of the webinar *'Do You Dare to Reach Your Value as a Leader?'* featuring Andrea Tesares, an accomplished accountant and entrepreneur. During this session, Andrea will share her insights and experiences on how to unlock your true potential as a leader, offering practical tools and strategies for professional growth and leadership development.