Leadership is a privilege, not a right of way. You cannot inherit it; it’s a calling for a few. Yet, leadership advice is available on every street corner. Real leaders nurture future leaders, and are only interested in the development of people, not processes, strategies, or goals. If you take care of people, then those very people will take care of the business. It’s no wonder why your people are drowning in anxiety, having conversations with recruiters, & taking time off work to meet with your competitors.
Real leaders don’t make counteroffers – they take care of their people in the first place. Losing your people is not a poor reflection on your leadership. In fact, effective leadership makes it easy to move on. It grooms and equips you with everything you need to replicate that leadership in another environment. Real leaders create a runway for their best people to reach their potential, wherever that may be. They celebrate your departure and pursuit of greatness because they know you’re ready for it. The best thing I can do for my Son is to train him well enough so he can one day leave my home and lead his own family. I would be doing him a great disservice if I hindered his personal pilgrimage towards manhood because of my own selfish agenda.
Real leaders are groomed from within; in the dark when no one sees. Take me to your home – let me see how you treat your family. Are you received with joy when you walk through the door or do those around you run from your presence?
I served under a man who created a culture of fear and hid office supplies in his office. I served under another man who took a pay cut to create more cashflow for the company. One was tolerated; the other was celebrated.
Real leaders treat their people like ambassadors of the company, not employees. Ambassadors embody the values of the organization and their leaders. Ambassadors have rights, privileges, and a stake in the organizations success. They think about what they can do for their organization. Employees are managed by poor leaders and can have their rights taken away from them when it’s convenient. They ask what can my organization do for me. Before I seek leadership of a fortune 500 company, let me first master my own home and strive to be loved by the people who matter the most.