In the post on Leadership for Growth, I discussed the concept of “servant leadership.” This phrase is often used by people to describe themselves as being available to support their people at all times. A “door is always open”type approach. I certainly feel that anytime help is needed, a leader needs to dig in and support. Sometimes that is takingcharge, and other times that is helping to do the heavy lifting. But when the leader always takes charge and handles all issues, they end up turning those they are leading into servants. They end up depending on you, which disempowers them.
On a podcast I listened to, that I searched for but couldn’t find again, the speaker made a statement that resonated with me. It described how I envision leadership in a better way than I could describe it. I believe it was Gary Keeler with Jay Papasan on an episode of their Think Like a CEO podcast. What the speaker said was,
“Leadership is teaching people how to think so they can do what they need to do when they need to do it, so they can get what they want when they want it.”
In my experience, while this may take more up front effort and explanation, and may frustrate the person who just wants you to solve their problem, the long term benefits are awesome. People begin to understand why decisions or actions are made in the framework of the organization’s purpose and priorities, and can start making sound decisions that move them forward. Your one conversation, coaching them to think, leads to far greater returns than thinking or doing for them. They are now empowered, which leads to engagement and satisfaction.
Generally the person who was initially frustrated you didn’t just do the thing for them as their “servant leader” will come back later bragging about the good decisions and progress they made. And now you have actually led them, and they can pass on this knowledge to others in a cascading positive impact.
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