When I started developing into leadership many moons ago, I struggled to know what the best leaders should look like. In our capitalistic culture with short-term focus on profits it seemed like a good leader should be bold, act like they had a handle on everything, and be able to the job of any person that they are leading.
Forty years later I’ve come to believe that the best leaders are far more effective in building heart felt trust with their team by doing just the opposite of what I thought was right. That is now being re-enforced by a book written by Andy Stanley titled “Next Generation Leader” that I am going through with a Small Men’s Group of leaders and fathers.
Right out of the chute Andy suggests that the best way for the leader to develop trust and bonding with the followers is being willing to admit mistakes and create a culture of taking responsibility rather than one of blaming one another.
The second significant point that he makes is that a great leader acknowledges their areas of weakness and instead focuses on enhancing things that they do well. Then their responsibility is to develop their team to find their sweet spots to fill in the leader’s gaps. The old adage ‘the jack of all trades is the master of none’. And that’s true for leaders too. By doing this it allows followers to feel much more valued in their jobs and if done right, allows them to invest in things that they are passionate about. It ends up being a win-win-win for the leader, the followers, and the organization. By the way, these principles apply very well in the family setting as well.
So if it’s been hard for you to admit your mistakes and acknowledge your weaknesses (that your followers already know about), why not try to do both and begin experiencing more purpose and joy in your life.
Forty years later I’ve come to believe that the best leaders are far more effective in building heart felt trust with their team by doing just the opposite of what I thought was right. That is now being re-enforced by a book written by Andy Stanley titled “Next Generation Leader” that I am going through with a Small Men’s Group of leaders and fathers.
Right out of the chute Andy suggests that the best way for the leader to develop trust and bonding with the followers is being willing to admit mistakes and create a culture of taking responsibility rather than one of blaming one another.
The second significant point that he makes is that a great leader acknowledges their areas of weakness and instead focuses on enhancing things that they do well. Then their responsibility is to develop their team to find their sweet spots to fill in the leader’s gaps. The old adage ‘the jack of all trades is the master of none’. And that’s true for leaders too. By doing this it allows followers to feel much more valued in their jobs and if done right, allows them to invest in things that they are passionate about. It ends up being a win-win-win for the leader, the followers, and the organization. By the way, these principles apply very well in the family setting as well.
So if it’s been hard for you to admit your mistakes and acknowledge your weaknesses (that your followers already know about), why not try to do both and begin experiencing more purpose and joy in your life.
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