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.

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.