When Leadership is Not About the Leader
When people tell me they want to be a better leader, their focus is almost always on themselves:
“What do I need to learn?”
“What skills do I need to develop?”
But great leaders are not, in fact, focused on themselves, but are focused outside themselves. One of the best definitions of a leader I’ve read is Brené Brown’s:
“A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.”
Consider the difference in your definition of leader versus manager.
Your thoughts on what a manager does probably have something to do with managing and administering the work of a particular entity, process, or group of employees. Good managers are essential to any business. But how do any of those managers become leaders?
(more on leadership and blameless problem solving)
It takes time and focus to find the potential in each of your team members.
In a large group, you will need to rely on the hierarchy you have developed to help, but the directive to do so must come from the top. The process can be institutionalized in each person’s quarterly or annual review, adding questions such as:
“What parts of your job do you like best?”
“In which aspects of your current role do you believe you excel?”
“What role in this company would you like to fill in five years?”
“How can we help you develop the skills you need for that role?”
It is also important to share your own thoughts as to the individual’s strengths and areas to develop, as well as your vision of their growth trajectory. You may see potential they do not yet recognize or can steer them away from a role that may not maximize their strengths.
Regular check-ins …
… either formally through reviews or during informal conversations, also give you important opportunities – a chance to acknowledge their progress and to call out the attributes you and the individual want to reinforce.
(more on motivating your team through acknowledgment)
I would very much like to hear about the great leaders you’ve had the pleasure of knowing – including examples of your own leadership!
Check out Brené Brown’s conversation on leadership with Jimmy Fallon.
Fundamental #20: APPRECIATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE
Regularly let people know you appreciate their qualities. Being acknowledged for a task well done is important; being acknowledged for a character quality is lasting.
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