Connecting Leaders with Leaders

Remember the excitement when you learned how to do something new for the first time.  Like riding a bike, cooking a new dish or a new on-line game.

In the beginning, you may have been frustrated because you “didn’t know” something.  Then you might have become upset as you tried to learn the new skill.  That feeling probably turned to joy as you mastered the new skill.

One of the best times for you to teach a new skill to somebody else is when you too have recently mastered how to do it.  An “old pro” is good too but the newbie has a great sense of enthusiasm.

For example, a parent showing a child how to ride a bike for the first time can do it (with patience).  However, a child who recently learned how to handle and ride a bike will teach another kid how to ride…and that teacher-kid will be excited and motivating.  The parent doing the same teaching will mostly be frustrated.

Leaders know that they are better off having others who recently acquired a new skill or those who just accomplished a tough task do the job of teaching or showing others how.  Making the connection for the new learner with the recent learner creates magic and success.  That is how you become a master leader.  Help make those connections and stop doing all the work.  Lead.

Courage Is The Right Thing

True leaders have courage.  They have the courage to jump in and roll up their sleeves.  They have the courage to say “thank you.”  They don’t hesitate to say “I made a mistake” and they do it right away without waiting.

Leaders have the courage to try something new or invite new perspectives.  They look to engage others in discussions…even when they differ from their own beliefs.

Leaders stand up and do the right things for the right reasons…instead of the popular things.

Courage is not really difficult when values are clear….it is difficult when values are unclear, misaligned, conflicting or do not exist.

The best leaders are confident with their courage.  Clarify and set our values in place and courage becomes second nature.  For leaders, courage is the right thing.

Share The Stage

The best leaders share the stage.  The other night I found myself at a concert.  It used to be that when you went to a concert years ago, the opening act was….well….there to pass the time.  Often they were background noise and sometimes fun.

Many top performers today share the stage and the limelight by putting excellent talent on stage as the opening act.

The opening act the other night at the show was a top performer.  People were dancing, singing and having a great time….with the opening act.  The “ticket” performer shared the stage, very graciously with not one but two excellent performers prior to his entrance.

How about you?  As a leader, how are you sharing the stage?

Others Are Watching

Others are watching.  Yes, they really are.

Others watch you all the time.  They watch your leadership.  They evaluate.  They judge.  They steal.  And, that’s all good.

In a way, it is also flattering.  Realize that others watch you and they see how you lead, what questions you ask, how you handle challenges, when do you take action and how do you motivate.

Now, many don’t think much about these things out loud.  Most see and hear.  The log and store.  Then, they do those things themselves.  That’s the beauty of it….they mirror your leadership.  You are passing it on….and you may not have even realized it.

But, now that you do.  Realize that because they steal ideas or borrow your style, you have an even greater responsibility to lead and to do it well.

Otherwise, you’ll be passing on something other than leadership.

Less About Me, More About We

The power of “we” is incredible.  When you move away from me, you come to we. 

We can do amazing things.  Me, I can too…but I often move faster and smarter with we.

We know more together.  Me, I know what I know…I can learn from we.

We share excitement and enthusiasm.  Me, I am happy inside and for myself (and that is a good feeling to have and cultivate)…that enthusiasm is multiplied to a higher power with we.

How about you…is it more me or more we?

Doing The Hard or The Easy

Management is easy.  Leadership is hard.

Management is telling, leadership is asking.

Management is doing, leadership is involving.

Management is forcing values upon, leadership is sharing values and inviting.

Management is necessary from time to time.  If there is a fire in a building and the alarms are not work…I want someone to come in and manage us out of there fast…no questions asked or answered.  Management is also needed when a company or organization needs immediate direction and action in the short term, but it is not a long term solution.  I’m sure you can think of other examples.

Mostly though, when all is said and done, most of us would rather spend time (at work, at home and at play) with leaders.

You Should Gamble More

Taking risks is a bit like gambling.  You have to know what you are willing to wager, what you might lose and how much it will make you sweat.

Leaders take risks everyday.  They make decisions, they ask challenging questions and they move people.

They move people not by manipulation, although that is possible….but then, are you really a leader?

Leaders look for opportunities to move people with their kind words, their wonderful questions and their positive action.  Be a leader who takes risks…look for opportunities to compliment, challenge and support, mentor and inspire.

Proper Preparation Permits Positive Performance

It has been wonderful to hear the stories from people onboard the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane.  The only realy injury was with a flight attendant who was sitting in the back.  By the time she exited, water was up to her neck.

The fascinating thing for me is that amidst the panic, fear and chaos….everyone keeps saying that things went as planned.  From the pilots to attendants, they recount the events and tell us “This is what we plan for,” or, “It went like we practiced it so many times before.”

When you practice something (communication skills, leadership, delegation) regularly, you can do it effectively when you are stressed, when you are panicked and when you have to lead others.

Lead Like a Duck Floats

Basketball Coach Bobby Knight’’s son also coaches basketball.  You may have seen him on TV recently.  He had multiple outbursts and the officials.  No chairs were thrown.

A duck, when faced with stress, paddles like crazy underneath but is smooth sailing on top…and keeps moving forward.  Leaders do get upset, understood.  Nobody wants to be yelled at, sworn at or berated.  Leaders know how to manage emotions, tempers and their communication.