Personalised leadership is more than just the latest management trend—it is the art of unlocking each person’s unique potential, connecting what matters to your team at work with what they value outside of it. At LMI-UK, we believe helping managers and leaders feel more successful starts with recognising that what truly matters is different for everyone.
Why Personalised Leadership Matters
Traditional leadership approaches often treat teams as a collective, applying one-size-fits-all solutions and expecting everyone to respond the same way. But people aren’t all wired the same, and what inspires one person may leave another cold. That’s why personalising your leadership style is so powerful.
Ken Blanchard, renowned leadership thinker, once said:
“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.”
Personalised leadership takes that a step further—it’s about discovering how you can influence, and genuinely support, each person in a way that matters to them individually.
The Core Principles of Personalised Leadership
At its heart, personalised leadership is about:
- Customising leadership styles for each person
- Understanding individual strengths and aspirations
- Providing the right kind of support at the right time
- Encouraging both achievement and wellbeing inside and outside the workplace
In practice, that means moving away from just ticking off tasks, and towards uncovering what really drives and supports the people you lead.
Creating Deeper Connections at Work
The foundation of a personalised leadership approach is understanding what is meaningful to each person. That comes from:
- Taking time to listen to team members’ stories and goals
- Noticing what energises them, and what burdens them
- Openly discussing career ambitions, personal aspirations, and barriers
“When you show deep empathy toward others, their defensive energy goes down and positive energy replaces it.”
—Stephen R. Covey
Meaningful leadership isn’t just about performance reviews. It’s built during everyday interactions—catch-ups over coffee, checking in during busy periods, and being present when people need support. This attention to the person, not just the role, makes leaders stand out and builds real commitment.
Personalised Recognition: Beyond ‘Well Done’
Everyone likes to be recognised, but not everyone wants the same type of recognition. Some thrive on public praise, others prefer a quiet, sincere ‘thank you’ in private. Some find meaning in a new responsibility, while others light up when you notice the detail in their work.
Personalised leadership involves discovering these preferences and celebrating achievements in a way that truly resonates. It’s not about dishing out generic compliments, but about making people feel genuinely seen for what makes them unique.
Strengths-Based Leadership: Playing to What Matters Most
Thirty years of research into great managers shows that the best invest in their team members’ unique strengths. By focusing on what each person does best, leaders spark higher engagement, satisfaction, and performance.
- Start by mapping out strengths—use tools or simply ask, “What do you enjoy most in your role?”
- Adapt roles and tasks where possible to allow people to play to these strengths
- Encourage peer recognition: help people share what they value in each other
This isn’t just about business results—it’s about unleashing passion and building confidence. When people achieve more at work in ways that matter to them personally, success becomes more than hitting targets. It’s about growing as people, not just as employees.
Connecting Achievement to Wellbeing
Work and life aren’t separate boxes on a checklist. Managers who recognise this can help team members align personal and professional goals, promoting fulfilment beyond the office.
True personalised leadership asks:
- “What personal skills or experiences are you hoping to build this year?”
- “How can we shape your role so that it fits with your wider life ambitions?”
- “Is there anything we can flex—schedules, projects, responsibilities—to help you achieve more of what matters to you?”
Small accommodations can have a huge impact on both engagement and loyalty, leading to sustainable performance and a positive team culture.
The Business Benefits of Personalised Leadership
Adopting personalised leadership isn’t just about being a ‘nice’ boss; it drives real results. Organisations that invest in this approach see:
- Higher engagement and retention
- Greater creativity and problem-solving
- Stronger team loyalty and lower turnover
- Improved business outcomes from more motivated, committed staff
Talent is easier to attract and keep when people believe their leader genuinely cares about their progress, purpose, and wellbeing.
Beyond Work: Personalised Leadership in Life
The philosophies behind personalised leadership don’t stop at the office door. Understanding what motivates friends, family, or community members, adapting your support, and celebrating achievements in a personalised way has ripple effects across all relationships.
The best leaders aren’t just high achievers at work—they help the people around them flourish, wherever they are.
Getting Started with Personalised Leadership
If you’re ready to help your managers or leadership team embrace this approach, here are a few steps to start:
- Take Stock: Survey your team about what’s important to them—and how they’d like to be recognised.
- Invest in Development: Provide tools and training in strengths-based leadership, effective feedback, and active listening.
- Lead from Example: Share your own goals, vulnerabilities, and what matters most to you, encouraging a culture of openness.
- Reflect and Adapt: Regularly review what’s working and what could be made more personal.
“People leave managers, not companies. So, invest in your leaders’ ability to lead personally and purposefully—that’s where success really starts.”
Looking to learn more? Explore our programmes and workshops, or get in touch via LMI-UK.com to see how we help organisations build effective, personalised leadership at every level.
Personalised leadership is about more than management—it’s about shaping an environment where people (including you) can achieve more of what matters most, at work and in life.