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.

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.