Leaders Develop Others…

Leadership is not about personal heroics or individual brilliance.  Unfortunately, our ideas of leaders are often influenced by heroics or people who seize the spotlight.  Or our understanding of leadership is tied to a title or position of authority.

Real leadership has nothing to do with any of these things.  Leadership is about stimulating the very best from everyone.  Recognizing the potential in each person and helping draw it out.  Whether it’s coaching growth or connecting them with other people with each other or resources to achieve more than they thought possible.

Leaders align others around a shared vision of what is possible.  They help others imagine new possibilities, aligning teams to pursue ambitious goals.

Leaders emerge from some of the least expected places in an organization.  Individual contributors, engaging others in new ideas.  Customers challenging their own and our assumptions.  Partners looking for new possibilities.  Great organizations create environments where leadership can emerge from anywhere.

We mistakenly think that titles confer leadership.  Just because someone has a “C-Level” or other management title doesn’t mean they are a leader.  These are often artifacts of our “command and control” mentality, but don’t necessarily provoke high engagement and great work.  In some organizations, real leadership is stifled, people wait for permission or a promotion.  Or they go someplace else.

Real leaders, regardless of title or position influence, inspire, and drive change.

How do each of us start to practice and develop our own leadership capabilities?

1. Look for opportunities to inspire or encourage others.  Even simple comments like, “That’s a great idea, how can I help you move it forward?”  Or, “You’d be great at this….”
2. Look for opportunities to connect people and ideas.  “You should talk to Lori, she’s looking at similar ideas, you might be able to work together…” or, “This group has been talking about these issues, but they seem stuck, you could help them…”
3. Constant curiosity and learning.  Challenge yours own assumptions and seek to learn from others.  Ask better questions.  Actively look for other points of view.
4. In everything you do, with everyone you meet, constantly ask, “Why does this matter?  What are we trying to achieve?”  Help everyone on the team connect to something meaningful.
5. Speak up when it’s uncomfortable.  Raise concerns, take the initiative to drive difficult conversations and different thinking.
6. Be willing to admit you may be wrong.  Be willing to change your mind.

Leadership is something that each of us can learn and practice.  Anyone willing to invest in others, anyone who wants to help themselves and others achieve more than they thought possible.  Anyone who sees bigger possibilities in themselves and the people they work with can be a leader.

Leaders develop others…..   And they  develop themselves…..

Afterwords:  This is a fascinating AI driven discussion of this post.  One of the most interesting observations, that I missed:  Leadership is behavior not authority.  Great discussion, Enjoy!