Some Gentle #Leadership Reminders

You are a leader only when people who choose to follow you see you as a leader.

Which means, it helps to see yourself through the eyes of those who have opted to believe in you.

Then live the traits your tribe is looking for in their leader. 

While your greatness may be the starting point of influencing others, you don’t lead others by constantly showing them how great you are.

Real leaders show people how great they are.

Can you bring the possibilities lying within people to the fore?

And help people see the source of their own power?

And when people live up to those possibilities, celebrate? Emphasize what you want to see more from others in the organization?

The fact that you are seen as a leader does not mean you should have all the answers all the time.

Your role is to facilitate collective sense-making with people and guide exploration of possible answers.

Leadership is not static to someone who has authority or power.

It emerges from anyone depending on the context and situation.

It is about action, initiative, problem solving and results – not about position.

Your role is to build an environment where people feel free to raise their hand often and lead.

To consistently set high expectations for your tribe (including yourself) because people respond to expectations. Set low expectations and get low performance.

You have to demonstrate traits that are paradoxical. As Jim Rohn puts it, “The challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly” ~ Jim Rohn 

It is easy to lead when the ship is sailing smooth, but that is not the test of your leadership character.

Most importantly, do not let the purpose be diluted amidst frenzy of day-to-day activities. Constantly clarify the purpose, the meaning of work your folks do and how it helps in achieving the purpose.

Because the truth is – purpose and meaning are powerful tools to rekindle the intrinsic motivation. (Hint: So are autonomy and mastery)