Hello and welcome to our blog! I’m thrilled you’re here and hope you discover fresh perspectives and practical insights. Leadership success requires honest reflection and learning from experience—both our own and others’. Our goal is to explore meaningful topics that foster growth, recognizing that every leadership journey is unique. Be open, be aware, adapt, and react. Let’s dive in together and elevate your leadership journey!
Are Leaders Born or Made?
When I was a kid, I remember my father saying, “Leaders are born.” As a know-it-all teenager, I thought I understood what he meant. However, after more than two decades of leading teams and observing different leadership styles, I’ve had the chance to reflect on his words.
What did he really mean? No one is born with all the skills required to lead—leadership involves managing people, making tough decisions, and navigating the emotional toll of responsibility. It takes time, experience, and self-awareness to develop a leadership style.
The term leadership is broad, encompassing everything from team leadership to thought leadership. This raises an important question: Are we inherently equipped with everything we need to lead, or is it something we cultivate over time?
I’ve come to believe that my father meant not everyone is naturally inclined to step forward, make decisions for a group, and take responsibility for outcomes. Some people are content simply spinning a toy, while others are curious to understand why it spins. Every aspiring leader has an inner fire—it’s up to you to decide where and how to harness it.
Leading Transformation: Often-Missed Steps
At some point, every leader may be called upon to drive transformation. While experience, adaptability, and disciplined execution are critical, here are a few often-overlooked steps when leading large-scale change:
- Immerse yourself in your team’s work. Understanding their roles firsthand fosters empathy and credibility. Be open, be vulnerable—listen actively without judgment.
- Identify influential voices and balance perspectives. Seek out both positive and critical feedback, and stay in tune with customer insights to identify areas for improvement.
- Communicate clearly and often. A strong communication plan boosts engagement, morale, and alignment around your strategy.
- Execute relentlessly. Once you’ve laid a solid foundation, work closely with your team to craft a clear plan—then focus on execution, execution, execution.
Is Your Leadership on Track?
If you’re leading a major program today, ask yourself:
- Do you feel confident in your strategy?
- Are you ready to adapt if needed?
- Is your team aligned and energized?
How We Can Help
Our Transformation Excellence Program (TEP) helps organizations achieve successful transformation. We offer customized strategies, hands-on support, and proven frameworks to drive lasting change. Whether you need help defining your strategy or executing a major transformation, think of us as your transformation COO—your partner in success.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, let’s uncover the fire within every aspiring leader and turn challenges into success stories.
Yvan-W. François is a transformational leader and strategy architect with over two decades of global experience in MedTech, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and biologics. As the founder of New Spark Advisors, he specializes in business transformation, operational excellence, and digital innovation, helping organizations drive breakthrough results. A multilingual executive fluent in English, French, and Spanish, Yvan leverages his expertise in process optimization, supply chain strategy, and leadership development to build high-performing teams and sustainable solutions. Recognized as a Top 20 Emerging Training Leader, he is passionate about turning vision into execution and guiding businesses through complex change with clarity and precision.
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