Leadership Lessons Learned in the Trenches
Leadership is a precarious position to hold. You don’t have to lead long to recognize that leadership in theory is much different than in reality. Ideas and creative brainstorming allows us as leaders to dream and inspire. This for me is the easy part --- pass on a visual end point in all its glory --- inspire others to catch this vision. This is the pinnacle of leadership --- where we have our ‘aha’ moments of “this is what I was meant to do”. Naturally, the pivot to designing a framework to make this dream a reality is much more difficult. And often we complete these steps backwards.
We inspire and motivate everyone towards the end result, but have not done our homework of designing the ‘how’. This can lead to distrust of those we lead. We didn’t come prepared to discuss the What, Why and HOW. Erroneously, believing that the what and why would be sufficient for the present. Successful leaders don’t just inspire; they enter the trenches with those they lead. Unafraid of the messiness that will meet them and the failures that are inevitable, they persevere. As leaders, we will not have all the answers the team desires. However, we will have some structure in place to breed success within those who will be implementing the process. A well-functioning, healthy team understands that there will be failure along the way, however, they will not understand the lack of a plan.
Don’t misunderstand. A leader does not insert themselves into the process unnecessarily nor micromanage. However, a respected leader will do regular check-ins with staff ---
Ask question to insure staff are adequately equipped
Listen to concerns without becoming defensive
Continue to point to the end goal
Offer support and grunt work when needed
Recognize the problems and praises the positives --- what is going well
This naturally leads to holding two seemingly opposing views simultaneously. The best leaders are able to do this and give permission to their team to do so. We as a group working together can be both ---
Equipped and Deficient
Uncomfortable and Knowledgeable
Hesitant and Expectant
Perplexed and Creative
Discontent and Content
Discouraged and Hopeful
Motivated and Energy Zapped
Holding two views in conjunction does not ultimately lead to failure. However, not acknowledging that both can exist simultaneously could lead to the demise of the team’s morale and productivity.
As effective leaders, we need to be comfortable in the tension between the two ‘ands’. Pressure will mount to emphasize either/or mentality, but resist this urge. Help your team navigate the AND effectively, and then you will have modeled a better path forward.
One example of this is what I like to call “The Fly Over”. After giving an assignment to research a particular task, gather everyone together and determine what the team knows and what still needs to be discovered.
This simple act affirms each team member that it is understood that there are missing pieces, missteps that might occur, insufficient data. However, at the same time it relishes in the confirmation of what the group does know. Consequently, a discussion of what are the critical components we need to know in order to complete the NEXT STEP of the project. (See the flowchart in my newsletter. Not subscribed yet, go to shagaejones.com/subscribe to do so)
The key to not throwing in the towel in exasperation is clear communication between all participants. Be willing to have difficult conversations that lead to united steps forward. As leaders, we are continually growing because a successful leader has to train themselves to slow down and be inquisitive --- learning your team’s strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies so the team can be more effective and successful.
Ultimately --- stay curious and flexible!