First, a question.
In fact, according to Martin Luther King, Jr., “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
Great question for all of us and THE question for team leaders: What are you doing for others? Ok, you may be saying. Why this question, why should I care?
Second, an answer.
If you want to be an effective leader and win consistently, then here is the answer:
You must embrace the attitude of helping others because the job of the leader is to make time today to ensure there is a tomorrow for the team.
The future of the team is not about you. It is about the team winning. Winning over time.
A good month, a solid quarter, or even a record-breaking year is not enough. Your role, whether you are the founder, CEO, President, SVP, or Director, is to help the team to win and keep the team winning, while accelerated change and uncertainty surrounds them.
It’s about the team. So, what are you doing for others?
Third, a discovery.
There is a lot written about servant leadership. I am a fan! I strive to be a better servant leader all the time. I encourage my clients to be/become servant leaders.
I have worked in the leadership space for a long time. I will not say how long here, but it’s more than 25 years: working for leaders, becoming a leader, and now coaching leaders. After working with thousands of leaders in various industries and cultures, I discovered that the term “servant” does not always resonate. Sometimes it is off putting. Occasionally, the term “servant” brings up beliefs and triggers patterns that are unhealthy from people’s past. So, I have worked to keep the principle in play while modifying the words. My advice is to be/become a leader focused on others more than self. A leader that helps others, that has a responsibility-based approach to leadership.
Fourth, a book.
If you know me, you have probably heard me say that I want to be like Pat Lencioni when I grow up. That is 100% true. Though he is only a few years my senior, I continue to aspire. He is the best at taking the most important, seemingly simple, yet tremendously difficult topic of team health and writing wonderful books that are easy to read. His ability to communicate through story and clear models is fantastic. Well, he recently did it again. In, The Motive, Lencioni tackles a new piece of the puzzle for team health, exploring why leaders lead.
He asserts there are two fundamental motives for leaders. Before I share, keep in mind that you are probably not all one or the other. In my experience, I have led teams for both motives. Sometimes it is a grey area. To maintain focus and clarity, return to the urgent question, what am I doing for others?
The two motives are Reward-centered leadership and Responsibility-centered leadership.
Please read the book to go deeper on these two motives. I share them to connect the dots between helping others, servant leadership, and the responsibility that leaders must make sure there is a tomorrow for the team. A winning tomorrow.
I encourage you to ask the question of yourself every morning before you start working. Ideally, during your journal time: Today, what am I doing to help others? Embrace your responsibility. Your answers will vary each day:
- Today I will learn something new about my team.
- Today I will make time to listen.
- Today I will show that I truly care.
- Today I will help clarify the team’s priorities.
- Today I will communicate what winning looks like.
- Today I will coach to help the team improve performance.
Ultimately, what you can do is to develop others, to create leaders for the future. Good luck on your journey, your team’s future is bright.
2021 is a time for all of us to grow as leaders. Make a difference in your life, the lives of your employees, and take your company to the next level. To find out more, contact Rom LaPointe.