START YOUR WEEK WITH THE COACH
“Are you a leader people want to follow, or one they want to avoid?”
At a recent event a senior executive was asked to share about her leadership experience with the organization. At first she said all the right things which is exactly what the people didn’t want to hear. Then she shocked the room by expressing dissatisfaction with her lack of leadership.
She went on to say that even though she knew people were unhappy with the organization’s protocols, style and approach, she regretted not doing anything about it. She concluded by talking about “courageous leadership” and why the workplace demands it now more than ever.
To lead effectively in the 21st Century you must understand that those you lead are looking for at least three things from your leadership:
First, COMPETENCE. Personal and professional skills that qualifies you to give leadership. They include: positive character, effective communicator, relationship and team builder, and you possess influence and inspiration abilities.
Second, VISIONARY. The ability to create the future, whether its this afternoon, tomorrow, or five years out. Team members want to know you know where you are going. No one wants to follow an unchartered course behind a hesitant leader.
Third, TRUSTWORTHINESS. This is the crown jewel of personal ethics. Regardless of talent, ability, or education, if your word is unreliable you forfeit the right to lead. Never promise what you can’t deliver, even if it means you lose your position.
When team members see these qualities in you they work harder, contribute better ideas with greater energy and stay with you longer.
When they don’t see these positive signs their energy and engagement level drops. Their performance and spirit of excellence deteriorates and their loyalty diminishes.
You are either a leader everyone wants to follow, or one everyone wants to avoid. Ask yourself, “Why would people want to follow me?” Make a list of your leadership strengths and weaknesses, only mature leaders do this. Then maximize your strengths and build a team to manage your weaknesses.
Moral: don’t spend too much time pulling the “weeds” in your leadership garden, just keep planting more flowers and eventually they overtake the weeds. Your positives will out grow your weaknesses.