What grade do you give your CEO, your manager, your mayor, your boss…on their leadership ability?
Not their management style…you manage THINGS and PROCESSES…you LEAD people.
So how is the leader you have in mind doing? Do they inspire you to follow them?
Do you share their vision?…Enough to encourage others to work toward this vision? Did the boss communicate this vision clearly enough?
As any combat veteran of the US Army knows, the slogan of the Infantry leader is “Follow me!” Should you want to learn more about how vital clear communication is, follow the blog of my fellow Columbusite, Mike Figliuolo, at thoughtLEADERS, LLC. But beware, some of Mike’s posts, practical as they may be, are also pithy, and often injected with snarky observations delivered with sarcasm. And in his Army days, Mike was a tanker, so he radio’d “Follow Me!” from his turret.
Back to my point on leadership…we ALL can lead. How, you ask? Well, please understand this…leaders are MADE, not born. May I refer to Seth Godin, in his latest book, TRIBES. All leadership calls for is a cause, a way to communicate your cause to others, and someone to do just that. It’s “change you can believe in.” You can also lead by following, inspiring others in your Tribe to “Follow Us!” It’s easier to follow US than merely following ME.
But, you may ask, if leaders are not determined at birth, how does one go about MAKING oneself into a leader?
Another book I recommend, Stephen M.R. Covey’s THE SPEED OF TRUST, offers wisdom on leadership development, in the form of character and competance. The integrity you have built personally, in addition to your intent, your capabilities and your successful results equal the sum of your TRUST. This doesn’t require years…just a sequence of deeds, even little things, that contribute to your Personal Brand, your reputation, how we know you.
With your ability to clearly communicate change we can believe in, and your trustworthiness, you are a leader.
Tell your story, show us what change looks like, and we will follow.
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Some time ago a speaker I respected said, “Think you’re a leader? Turn around and see who’s following you!”
We move in one direction or another because we are driven by our muse, our hopes, our fear, our ambition, our greed, our hunger, our “x”. No one is likely to be following us if we don’t share the passion and conviction we feel that impels us forward.
Although necessary and typically effective in recruiting followers, passion and conviction alone are not enough in my view to be a truly great leader. Otherwise con-men and charlatans would be our greatest leaders.
No, I think what is needed is a vision that is pure, honest and stripped of ornament, presented with authenticity and transparency—two features (perhaps not coincidentally) critical for credibility in the social media environment that is quickly engulfing us.
Want to be a leader today? Start by learning everything you can about your quest. Think about it—clearly, critically, reflectively, deeply—and honestly. Impart your knowledge freely to others in a humble yet confident manner—with authenticity and transparency. Discover the passion and convection that bubbles inside you for what you hope to accomplish. Share it with everyone. Then head for your target letting nothing dissuade you.
Are you a leader? Turn around and see who’s following you! There should be a tribe.
(More wine? No thanks, I’ think I’ve had enough!)
Note to self: bubbling convection is not the same as bubbling conviction. (RATS!)