Leadership Thought #314 – It’s Not Just About You
When you lead others, it’s also about them, not just about you. Many leaders struggle with this idea, especially those with big egos. The truth is that without followers, a leader isn’t needed. People need to see their own interests aligned with yours. In addition, something needs to hold them together besides the strength of your personality, the size of your brain, and/or the level of your self-confidence.
When people are too full of themselves, it shows. Regardless of your thoughts, no one has cornered the market on clever ideas and sound judgment. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some exceptionally talented individuals with strong track records leading organizations, but they can only ever execute so much on their own. They are only as good as their management team and other key personnel. Inspiring and motivating others means tapping into their respective talents and motivations, not just pushing forward through sheer force of will. People must feel invested in the outcome and have a say in how to get there to truly care about something.
I’ve heard that leadership is about getting extraordinary results from ordinary people. I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately, we often highlight strong personalities in our literature on leadership. The media also loves oversized egos and brash communicators. It’s easy to profile someone who loves to talk about what they think and why they are right. However, no one likes a braggart, and many of these same people alienate as many people as they convert to their perspective (if not more). I am often flabbergasted by the lack of journalistic integrity and fact-finding prowess when identifying and celebrating what constitutes leadership acumen.
The best leaders approach their relationships much more deftly. They not only value but also actively encourage input from others. They are more worried about achieving the right outcome than any pride in authorship/ownership of the means to get there. They are honest when they don’t know something and ask for help when needed. They admit when they are wrong and pick others up when they fail. They are generous with praise and share the spotlight. They surround themselves with independent thinkers and let them think, debate, and then decide what next steps to take as a group. They know when to assume control of the situation and when to back off. They abhor sycophants and always want the truth, even when it is hard to digest. They put the needs of the company or organization above their self-aggrandizement and celebrity. Leadership is always about “We” and “Us,” but rarely about “I” and “Me.”
Remember that leadership is about your effect on others, not just you.
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