SHARP: A formula for developing top-notch leaders

In my previous article, I made the point that it is high time organisations empowered and engaged everyone to be future leaders, and not just a select few. I went on to advocate that it is both desirable and achievable for companies and individuals to develop “10x leaders”.
A 10x leader is someone who is more effective and productive than an average leader by a factor of 10. Someone just like Yoda, a Jedi master.
Now, how we do achieve this?
Former Harvard professor Tal Ben Shahar and his colleague Angus Ridgway, ex-McKinsey head of leadership development, did a study on the very best leaders in organisations. They found that these leaders had five performance-enhancing factors in common, identified by the acronym SHARP.
SHARP creates leaders. To use the “Star Wars” metaphor, SHARP increases the levels of midi-chlorians that allow young padawans to harness the Force within, thus becoming a leader or Jedi master.
SHARP stands for Strength, Health, Absorption, Relationship and Purpose. Leaders exhibit these qualities in their daily lives, be it at work or in a personal setting. Leaders know and leverage their strengths in everything that they do.
Leaders know that health is important and it’s what gives them their power. Leaders are focused, mindful and absorbed in what they do. Leaders cultivate positive and authentic relationships with their peers, friends and colleagues. Last but not least, leaders find purpose and inspiration in what they do every day.
SHARP separates Olympic athletes from the average athlete. It sets 10x leaders apart from average leaders.
To put things in context, let’s consider two leaders who started their careers at the same time. Twenty years have passed and the lives of these two leaders have taken different trajectories. One of them has flourished and assumed senior leadership positions. This leader has achieved great success. (I will address the definition of success in my last article of this leadership series.)
Meanwhile the life of the other leader has taken a turn for the worse. This leader is in the state of constant drift, disconnected and uninterested. In fact, this leader is downright unhappy.
Some may call this luck. Yes, maybe. The question is, should organisations and individuals do something to change this predicament?
According to a “Leadership Is Broken” survey by Development Dimensions International, an international human-resources and leadership-development consultancy, “plugged in” leaders have three times less employee turnover and 83 per cent of them lead their teams to exceed their productivity goals. Therefore, it pays to have your leaders in the flow.
It is possible to move average leaders and disconnected leaders into peak performance zones similar to leaders through SHARP.
So buckle up, hold on to your seats as we take you to the next phase of your journey in exploring the world of SHARP. Until then, may the Force be with you.

Suvit Chansrichawla is next-generation HR consultant under the brand Serendipity & Co, partner of the Curve Group in Thailand.