There are some amazing leaders out there, but finding them is becoming more difficult as time passes. I have worked in the public and private sectors for decades, and I’ve witnessed the best and the worst during my journey. If you have been in the workforce for any period of time, you’ll admit that there have been individuals who empowered you while taking your skills to another level…and others who stifled you while silencing your ambitions. I have always tried to emulate those who possessed positive traits while avoiding the characteristics of those who didn’t. We all make mistakes, but learning from those mistakes is imperative.
Keeping in mind what leadership is, which is basically guiding a group of people towards the completion of a specific goal, what would you think the most important ingredient of that mixture is? I dare say it is the people! There is no need for a leader without a team, and the team will not function well without a leader. Great leaders understand that premise and they treat their team members with respect and dignity…for without them they have nothing. The focus should be placed on “we” and not “I” as you share the successes with the team while absorbing the failures as your own. How often does that happen in your world? Correct, probably not often enough.
The little things matter when you’re in a position of authority or leadership. You can live your life in fear while sacrificing those you’re entrusted to lead, or you can be the person those around you are looking for. That person who listens, provides opportunities, empowers, and ultimately supports their teammates. That doesn’t mean that you don’t hold people accountable for their actions, but it does mean that you accept responsibility for the actions of all the folks that you work with. THAT is being a true leader!
There are several factors that interfere with our ability to be true leaders. Fear, ego, and power can hold the strongest person back from displaying the characteristics that they want to. Fear of being chastised by your boss, or even losing your job for supporting a team member can make your choices difficult. The grip of power is mighty and those who have it don’t want to relinquish it. That causes many to deflect blame on others for the sake of self preservation. That doesn’t make things right, but it is a reality. Great leaders keep their ego in check because they realize that they don’t have all of the answers. They take the time to get input from others and then make the best decision possible based on the facts at hand.
When the culture at a company or agency is one of fear and power, a leadership vacuum is created, which is essentially the lack of solid leadership. The free flow of information from the top to bottom and bottom to top is silenced. Why speak when your words or ideas are not heard. Why risk losing your job when you have a family to feed? Depending on your position, you may not have the ability to change the culture or beliefs within your organization or agency, but…you can control how you treat the “people” that look to you as their leader.
You heard me say that the little things matter. I used to have a boss who always reminded people during meetings that, “Steve works for me”. That was a trait that didn’t sit well with me. When I ultimately got promoted and attended meetings with members of my team, I would say, “This is so and so, we work together”. You can’t change the world, but you can sure do your best to make your small corner a bit better. Those little things will improve morale, foster loyalty, and increase productivity…which should be parts of the overall goal you’re trying to achieve. What kind of leader do you want or dare to be?
