I am strong, I am independent, I am wise, I am motivated but am I a leader? What is a leader (more so, what does it take to be a good 'Corporate Leader')?
I came into work each day, did my job better than most anyone could (I believed); but often times left asking myself a multitude of questions:
If I were gone could they do this without me? (the answer: ABSOLUTELY! And if you think you are irreplaceable (sorry Beyonce) you are crazy).
Did I impact anyone positively today? (and often times I did)
Did I impact anyone negatively today? (and often times I did)
Did I perform to the best of my ability today (often times I did - but can name a time or two I didn't)
If I could change one thing about today - what would it be (just one, that is all I was able to pick; how about 1.5)?
Did I allow someone to motivate me today (yes or no - was I looking for them to motivate me or much worse, was I dependent on them motivating me - YIKES)!?!
It was after a study of my work patterns, feelings, goals, objectives, career path, team, my peers, my...wait for it...here is comes...are you sure you can handle it...MY LEADERS - not my manager, not my boss, not my bosses boss or the CEO by my Leaders. Did I have any leaders? Studying this question for myself quickly helped me arrive to the one major factor that would determine my success - am I considered a Leader by anyone I work with?
People always hate the boss - I wasn't really concerned about being talked about at the coffee pot and didn't allow it to bother me that my two most 'loyal employees' (just ask THEM) would go to lunch to talk about me...I was much more focused on who I inspired, who I motivated, who I influenced - these IMMEDIATELY became much more important factors. And...the more I thought about it, the more I decided the way my team would be fifteen times more successful is to challenge everyone to be a 'Leader' no matter your 'title.' I quickly ran back to the office and formulated a meeting with a select group from my team that I believe truly viewed me as a leader. I asked a honest question and awaited the answer; the question:
What are the qualities of a L E A D E R
Compassionate, Inspiring, Motivating, Helpful, Wise, Informed, Ambitious, Skilled, Confident...and the list continued...
Compassionate was the one that really baffled me; not that people would expect a leader to be compassionate but how little understanding people had on the decisions "Manager's" had to make. It opened my eyes to a truth - people have a hard time seeing past themselves. So how could/should a Leader be compassionate yet remain 'pro-company' which sometimes means telling people (ssshhhhhhhhh it is soooooooooo hard to say....) n-o.
WOW - after a two hour discussion surrounding the qualities of a Leader I QUICKLY realized the single most important qualification of a leader is the ability to show people the IMPORTANCE of seeing past their own nose. Think about it - how often do you make a decision that is best for your co-worker but not for you (ugh, if you said anything above zero TRY AGAIN) - no you don't - it is not natural to put someone in-front of you in the pecking order. Heck, as I write this I can name 20+ things in my current role I should have done differently or multiple selfish acts that I could change...it makes me feel good about writing this tonight...tomorrow I can make it better (and work on it each day after that).
I will circle back to this topic - but I leave with a challenge. Make tomorrow better for your co-worker, your peer, heck even your boss - don't focus on you and see how many a-typical responses you get. Don't make someone ask for your help, offer it...see if it comes back to you...
Honestly - PAY IT FORWARD...I know, I know....but I am curious in the general concept. If someone at work helped you and said the only repayment they wanted was for you to help two people - and those two people then helped 8 and then those 8 then helped 32 - how quickly would a small-medium sized business CHANGE their CULTURE...?
