Daily Leadership Thought #96 – Leaders Need To Avoid Becoming Too Distant From The Front Lines

A leader mustn’t become too isolated from their employees and the front lines of the business. Instead of spending all his or her time in the corner office or attending high-level meetings, it’s critical that he or she walk the four corners of the building, regularly interact with all levels of staff, and get out to meet with clients. I’ve found a direct relationship between the amount of time a leader spends communicating with people (at all levels of the company) and how they feel about their job. While it can be tempting to take on the role of “Atlas” and shoulder the burden of the world, this approach is unwise, stressful, and shortsighted, ultimately hindering your leadership abilities.

The primary job of a leader is to harness the energy and talents of a diverse group of people to achieve a common objective. They need to create an environment of shared responsibility and interdependency. Leadership is less about “doing” and more about “being.” Employees need to feel connected to something bigger than themselves and understand their role within this broader context. Moreover, successful organizations typically view their clients as partners and engage them in ongoing dialogue about what constitutes value and success. To accomplish all the above, you need to be actively listening and communicating.

It’s impossible to lead effectively by distancing yourself too far from what truly matters. No one person has all the answers, nor does he or she have the full intellectual and common-sense capacity to understand everything that needs to be done. Good ideas don’t emerge spontaneously. As you grow, it’s understandable to feel yourself getting pulled further and further from your company’s day-to-day business, but don’t fully succumb to this reality. Force yourself to stay connected to your people and your clients, and the ride will seem less bumpy and success more enjoyable.