The New Portrait Of Leadership: Mark Voronov Of SocialPlug On Strategies to Shape Yourself Into A Modern Masterpiece
An Interview with Karen Mangia
Positive Attitude: Good leaders are able to maintain a positive outlook and lead by example. For example, a leader in a manufacturing plant might find ways to reduce waste and increase efficiency, while also maintaining a positive attitude and encouraging their team to stay motivated.
We are living in the Renaissance of Work. Just like great artists know that an empty canvas can become anything, great leaders know that an entire organization — and the people inside it — can become anything, too. Master Artists and Mastering the Art of Leadership draw from the same source: creation. In this series, we’ll meet masters who are creating the future of work and painting a portrait of lasting leadership. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Voronov.
Mark Voronov is the Co-founder and CEO at SocialPlug, a digital marketing company. SocialPlug provides social media marketing services and helps customers reach their marketing goals.
Thank you for joining us. Our readers would enjoy discovering something interesting about you. What are you in the middle of right now that you’re excited about personally or professionally?
I’m excited about making my business bigger and better. I’m currently working on expanding my services and products to better meet the needs of my customers. I’m also in the process of building a stronger team to help me reach my business goals. I’m exploring new marketing strategies and ways to use technology to reach a wider audience. I’m also taking steps to build up my brand and strengthen my brand awareness. All of these efforts are helping me to make my business bigger and more successful. I’m looking forward to all the exciting opportunities that come with this journey.
We all get by with a little help from our friends. Who is the leader that has influenced you the most, and how?
The leader that has influenced me the most is my high school English teacher. She was a brilliant teacher who was passionate about her job and always had high expectations of her students. She believed in us, and taught us the importance of hard work and dedication. She also encouraged us to think outside the box and take risks when it came to our studies. She was always there with a kind word and a listening ear, no matter what we were going through. I learned so much from her, and the lessons she taught have stayed with me throughout my life. She showed me that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. I’m so thankful for her influence in my life and for the support she provided. We all get by with a little help from our friends, and in this case I had a leader who truly made a difference in my life.
Sometimes our biggest mistakes lead to our biggest discoveries. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made as a leader, and what did you discover as a result?
The biggest mistake I’ve made as a leader was not taking the time to properly assess a situation before making a decision. I thought I had all the answers and acted on my own intuition without consulting with the team or stakeholders. In hindsight, this mistake led to an important discovery. I realized that no leader can be successful without the input and collaboration of the people they lead. I learned that as a leader, I need to take the time to listen to, consider, and value the perspectives of my team and stakeholders to ensure the best outcome for a project. This discovery has been invaluable in my leadership journey and has helped me foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork.
How has your definition of leadership changed or evolved over time? What does it mean to be a leader now?
My definition of leadership has changed significantly over the years. When I was younger, I saw leadership as someone who was authoritative and had the final say in a group or organization. As I grew older and gained more experience in the workplace, I began to recognize that leadership is much more than that. Now, I understand that a leader is someone who sets a good example for others, motivates and inspires their team, and has the ability to empower others to reach their full potential. Being a leader now means having the skills and knowledge to guide a team towards success, but also having the empathy and humility to understand the different experiences and perspectives of those around you. It’s important to recognize that leadership isn’t a static concept, and that it involves a continuous process of learning and growth.
Success is as often as much about what we stop as what we start. What is one legacy leadership behavior you stopped because you discovered it was no longer valuable or relevant?
One legacy leadership behavior that I stopped using was micromanaging. I had always been a detail-oriented leader and wanted to make sure I was on top of every task that was being done. However, I soon realized that micromanaging was not only not beneficial, it was actually counterproductive. It created an environment of fear and mistrust, and it prevented my team from feeling empowered to take ownership of their work. I now focus on delegating tasks and trusting my team to take the initiative and manage their own tasks. This has resulted in improved morale and a more productive team overall.
What is one lasting leadership behavior you started or are cultivating because you believe it is valuable or relevant?
One lasting leadership behavior that I have started or am cultivating is being an effective listener. I believe this is a valuable and relevant skill for any leader because it allows one to better understand and empathize with their team members. By listening to their needs and concerns, I am able to respond in a way that is tailored to each individual’s situation and best serves the team as a whole. Furthermore, it helps build trust within the team and encourages open communication, which is essential for effective leadership. Being an effective listener also allows me to gain valuable insights into their perspectives and learn from their experiences, which enables me to make better decisions. All in all, I believe that this behavior is essential for successful leadership and I am committed to continuously striving to perfect it.
What advice would you offer to other leaders who are stuck in past playbooks and patterns and may be having a hard time letting go of what made them successful in the past?
As a leader, I understand how difficult it can be to let go of the playbooks and patterns that have made me successful in the past. However, if I want to continue to be successful in the future, I must learn to adapt and embrace change. My advice to other leaders who are stuck in the past is to accept that times are changing and to take a step back and assess the situation. Ask yourself, “What worked in the past and what didn’t?” This will help you identify areas of improvement and create new strategies and playbooks for success. It is also important to keep an open mind and try new things. Take risks, think outside the box, and stay informed on the latest trends and technologies. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Surround yourself with people who can help you stay up-to-date and current. By doing this, you can move forward and remain successful in today’s ever-changing environment.
Many of our readers can relate to the challenge of leading people for the first time. What advice would you offer to new and emerging leaders?
As someone who has experienced the challenge of leading people for the first time, I can relate to it. It is a daunting task to be responsible for the success of a team, and it can be tricky to navigate the dynamics of managing people. My advice to new and emerging leaders is to focus on developing relationships and fostering an environment of trust. Make sure to listen to your team members, get to know them and their goals, and understand where they are coming from. It is also important to provide clear feedback and expectations so that everyone is on the same page. Finally, be open to learning and growing as a leader. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or take advice from experienced leaders, and don’t forget to have fun!
Based on your experience or research, what are the top five traits effective leaders exemplify now? Please share a story or an example for each.
Effective leadership is a skill that has evolved tremendously over the years. In a world of constant change and disruption, it is even more important for leaders to be able to inspire and motivate their teams. The top five traits effective leaders exemplify now are:
1. Emotional Intelligence: An effective leader knows how to read and understand the emotions of their team and use that information to make decisions and guide the team. For example, a leader in the tech industry might recognize that their team is feeling overwhelmed by a large project and take steps to break it into smaller, more manageable tasks.
2. Visionary Thinking: Effective leaders are able to think outside of the box and come up with innovative solutions to challenging problems. For example, a leader in a retail company might recognize that their store’s model is outdated and come up with a strategy to revamp the store’s operations, making it more efficient and appealing to customers.
3. Positive Attitude: Good leaders are able to maintain a positive outlook and lead by example. For example, a leader in a manufacturing plant might find ways to reduce waste and increase efficiency, while also maintaining a positive attitude and encouraging their team to stay motivated.
4. Communication: Effective leaders recognize the importance of communication and are able to effectively communicate their ideas and visions to their team. For example, a leader in a finance department might explain a new budgeting system in a clear and concise manner, ensuring that everyone on the team understands the new system and how to use it.
5. Resilience: Good leaders also recognize that failure is a part of success and are able to use failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. For example, a leader in a marketing department might recognize that a new campaign has failed and use the opportunity to find out what went wrong and how to do better next time.
By exemplifying these traits, effective leaders are able to guide their teams to success in a constantly changing world.
American Basketball Coach John Wooden said, “Make each day your masterpiece.” How do you embody that quote? We welcome a story or example.
I try to embody John Wooden’s quote “Make each day your masterpiece” by setting a daily goal and striving to do my best to achieve it. For example, one of my daily goals is to be a kind and patient person. Every day, I strive to be a positive influence to those around me and to make sure that I’m being considerate and respectful. I also make sure to take a few moments in the morning to appreciate all of the beauty in my life and to be grateful for all the blessings I have. This helps me to stay focused and motivated throughout the day. By setting a goal and making a conscious effort to achieve it, I am able to make each day a masterpiece.
What is the legacy you aspire to leave as a leader?
As a leader, I aspire to leave a legacy of positive change and progress. I believe that by promoting a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth, I can create an environment where individuals and teams are empowered to reach their highest potential. I strive to create a culture of trust and respect, where individuals feel comfortable taking risks and exploring new ideas. I am passionate about creating a workplace that encourages and rewards risk-taking and creativity, while also fostering a sense of belonging and community. Ultimately, I hope to leave a lasting impression on my organization, and inspire others to take on leadership roles and create a better future.
How can our readers connect with you to continue the conversation?
Readers can connect with me through my social media accounts, such as LinkedIn and Twitter. Additionally, I have a blog where I regularly post about my work. You can find that at https://www.socialplug.io/blog
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to experience a leadership master at work. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Karen Mangia is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the world, sharing her thought leadership with over 10,000 organizations during the course of her career. As Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce, she helps individuals and organizations define, design and deliver the future. Discover her proven strategies to access your own success in her fourth book Success from Anywhere and by connecting with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
The New Portrait Of Leadership: Mark Voronov Of SocialPlug On Strategies to Shape Yourself Into A… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.