Many TedTalks and best-selling organizational development books hypothesize on what contributes to the thriving growth and success of a business. Analysis and formulas for success may provide amazing insights, but the strongest foundation for success always starts with leadership.

As the way we collectively approach business continues to evolve, so should our strategies for leadership and growth that match our vision and our purpose.

When you can get every one of your employees excited about the contributions they make, and the ability they have to display leadership in their respective roles, you’ll see your company’s growth trajectory accelerate.

Conversely, if you don’t have forward-thinking, innovative, growth-mindset leaders steering your professional ship, every aspect of your business could be detrimentally impacted. Micro leadership can positively impact your business and nurture leadership at all position levels in your company. Here’s how.

What is micro leadership?

Leadership, true leadership, doesn’t come from a thirst for power. True leadership is an intentional action that stems from a passion to serve and encourage others. Leaders aren’t just figureheads of your business or idle captains, standing by just to delegate.

Leadership comes in quiet moments from those who aren’t in designated leadership positions, too. This is where micro leadership comes in. Micro leadership comes in the moments when employees on all levels feel they can step up and have a voice.

As a business owner, you can set the tone for micro leadership on your team without creating too many chefs in your figurative kitchen — it’s not about giving every employee equal decision-making responsibilities, it’s about giving each employee a sense of worth.

Micro leadership helps inspire confidence and creates talent retention and development because every individual feels like they matter and contributes to company growth and the collective whole.

Why micro leadership is vital

Developing and nurturing leaders at all levels and in all roles is vital to the success of your business — people leave positions when they feel like they don’t matter and don’t play a role in company growth.

Conversely, people tend to stay in positions that offer future development and make them feel appreciated for their work. Micro leadership allows employees to invest in companies that invest in them.

According to a 2023 Gartner HR survey:

• 45% of employees reported that they long for a better work-life balance
• 90% of job candidates reported leaving their former positions due to a mismatch of personal and company values and priorities
• Over 75% of employees prefer the ability to work remotely when possible
• 45% of those surveyed felt burned out by organizational changes (via Forbes Advisor)
• 1 out of every 4 employees spent time seeking employment with another company

At an executive level, paying attention to these statistics and implementing necessary changes for employee retention and growth provide a crucial aspect of micro leadership.

Implement the changes that make sense, but if you’re not in favor of an employee’s suggestions or feedback, effectively communicate why — you don’t always have to say “yes,” but explaining your “no” can help your team to feel as though they still play an integral role in the process.

Macro vs micro leadership

Both macro and micro leadership are vital components in the success of your business. Macro leadership is the role of management and executive leadership within your company.

Macro leaders always have the big picture in mind, and employ leadership strategies to make needed changes toward forward progress. Macro leadership is integral to sustained growth.

Micro leadership allows each employee to step into a clear role and understand exactly what their role entails. Every person in every position is held accountable for their responsibilities, but the ability to take ownership of their position helps them to embrace this accountability.

In a micro leadership culture, employees feel like they’re heard, valued, and have room for future development within the company.

Micro leadership is not micromanagement

Micro leadership and micromanagement are not the same. Micromanagement involves second-guessing your employees, constantly looking over their shoulders, and creating a hostile, toxic work environment.

Micro leadership empowers your employees to fully embrace their roles. Collaboration with and confidence in your team creates a thriving, healthy work culture.

While many employees may flourish and grow in a workplace culture that supports micro leadership, most people do not react favorably to being micromanaged. Learn how to change ingrained micromanagement habits within your leadership team by implementing employee engagement and feedback practices.

The benefits of micro leadership  

When you nurture and sustain a culture of micro leadership, you may find that your employee retention levels increase and a healthy, thriving workplace environment contributes to the successful growth of your business.

Some of the benefits of nurturing micro leadership include:

• Increased motivation
• Team collaboration
• Improved performance
• Collective accountability
• Greater initiative responses
• Open communication
• Higher productivity

Micro leadership can transform your business

As the traditional top-down approach to business leadership continues to evolve, our workplace strategies need to evolve, too. Successful entrepreneurs recognize that a micro leadership culture is vital to nurturing leaders at all levels of business.

This approach fosters an environment where every team member is empowered to lead, innovate, and contribute to the overall success of your organization. At its core, micro leadership recognizes that leadership isn’t confined to a select few in corner offices — it’s a collective effort.

Every individual has the potential to influence positive change.

How to nurture all leadership

When we build a business culture of empowerment and open communication, we create an in-house, organic talent pool for emerging leaders. This inclusivity not only taps into the diverse skills and perspectives within a team but also sparks a sense of ownership and commitment among employees.

Here are some exciting and innovative ideas to nurture leaders at all levels through micro leadership:

• Provide continuous learning opportunities
• Invest in innovative training programs
• Encourage skill development
• Challenge employees with new projects
• Allow employees to share their knowledge with other members of the team
• Promote a culture of collaboration and mentorship
• Cultivate an individual and team growth mindset
• Support leadership development
• Ensure your team is equipped with the right tools to excel

How to develop micro leadership today

Embrace a micro leadership culture by recognizing and celebrating achievements — no matter how small. Acknowledge the efforts of team members, highlight their successes, and create an atmosphere that values contribution. When individuals feel seen and appreciated, they are more likely to step into leadership roles with confidence.

This positive reinforcement not only boosts morale and develops a growth mindset, but also sets the stage for a self-sustaining cycle of continuous improvement and leadership development.

Connect with Ryan Niddel

A micro leadership culture is the secret key to nurturing leaders at all levels of business. When you foster an environment of empowerment, provide continuous learning opportunities, and celebrate achievements, a positive, sustained impact will result.

Micro leadership creates a workplace where leadership flourishes naturally. In this inclusive and collaborative atmosphere, every team member becomes a leader, contributing to the overall success and resilience of the organization.

Ryan Niddel is the CEO of MIT45, serves on the board of multiple successful companies, and is considered Ohio’s top growth specialist. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level and utilize breakthrough thinking to transform your company, connect with him today.