“Changing an organization, a company, a country – or a world – begins with the simple step of changing yourself.” ~Tony Robbins

If you think about the way most organizations choose a leader, it can be a bit mind-boggling at times. We take an individual contributor who is an excellent performer and promote them into a leadership role. Many times we do this without knowing if they truly understand what it means to lead others, whether they have the skills to effectively lead others, and at some times whether they actually possess the desire to lead.

This last point is especially true in organizations where the only pathway to a promotion is by taking on a leadership role. It is also very true in family business where you simply have the same last name as the founder or owner and that in-titles you to a leadership position even if you are extremely unqualified.

In many other words, leadership is a reward for performance or a reward gifted by association.

Our intention in promoting our top producers is that we expect them to take the rest of their team up to the same level of performance that made them so great. In some cases this scenario plays out as expected, the sad truth is that in most cases it doesn’t!

A Leadership Failure

Yes, we’ve all heard the statistics that say people don’t leave companies, they leave their managers. Companies are filled with unhappy workers, not because the employee’s dislike the company, but because they dislike their manager.  And yet, we continue to reward performers with leadership positions and wonder why we are experiencing a leadership crisis in this country.

Recently, a friend of mine walked away from a potential job because of the interview that took place with his future leader. The guy was a jerk, talked all about himself and reiterated how important he was and all that he has accomplished. After his interview, the HR Manager had a follow up conversation where my friend said he wasn’t interested. When the HR Manager asked what caused him to back away, he told them the truth about the interview and the leader.

Guess what? Based on their response, they knew he was a problem. Yet, they still turned him loose on prospective employees. And they wonder why they can’t attract or retain talent and their market share is in the toilet?

3 Thoughts About Being A Leader

We seem to interchange the words leader, manager, boss, supervisor, etc. quite frequently as if they all have the same meaning. That said, being a leader is not the same as being a manager or a supervisor. And while there are 1000’s of different opinions on what it means to lead.

Here is how I define a leader:  a person who influences others to do or to be their very best. Which means you actually do not have to have direct reports to be labelled a leader in my opinion, although some folks define their level of leadership on how many people report to them. It means a whole lot more than that!

Being a Leader means:

1. You possess more than just talent and skills. It requires a desire to help others transform their lives so they can reach their maximum potential. If you were called to lead, you will do whatever it takes to achieve your goal to be a great one.
2. It isn’t simply about desire, it requires that you lean into the truth about who you are at your core. It requires that you push through obstacles and self-limiting beliefs so you can show up full out, with all of your talents, brilliance, and genius.
3. You come to the realization that the focus of your leadership is not about you! It’s about the people you lead and that is actually a great privilege and not an in-title-ment.

Are You Called To Be A Leader?

Being a leader is not easy. In fact, it may be the most difficult challenge you have ever attempted next to raising your kids or staying married for a lifetime. It is not for the faint of heart. Maybe the right question here is, “Are you called to be a leader?” If so, how would you know?

Below are 5 Gut-Check questions to help you gain some clarity. You can answer them and be brutally honest or you can dodge the truth and cheat yourself out of the experience. Skirting the truth will not impact your leadership immediately, but I promise it will impact you and your people…eventually!

1. Do you have a true desire “to influence others to do or to be their very best?”
2. If you got to the end of your life and you never took on a leadership position, would you feel your life was incomplete?
3. Do you know who you are at the core of your being? Your strengths, your brilliance, and your genius? Are you clear about your purpose, the why you are here?
4. Do you truly believe the focus of your leadership is about your people and not about you?
5. Did you become a leader simply because you have the same last name as the founder, owner, or a relative?

5 Actions You Can Take:

1. If you answered ‘NO’ to question number 1 you might want to do you and your team a favor. Resign, quit, walk away. There’s a very good chance you are doing more damage than good.
2. If you answered ‘NO’ to number 2. Maybe it is time to reexamine why you are or want to be a leader in the first place. Click here to learn more.
3. If you answered ‘NO’ to number 3. Start by buying the Strengths-Based Leadership Book  It includes an assessment that will help you discover your 5 base strengths. It is a great first step. Then hire a Leadership Coach to help! Need one? Click here
4. If you answered ‘NO’ to number 4, it’s probably time to do a gut check and a realignment . If you’re not willing to do that you might want to revisit action number 1.
5. If you answered ‘YES’ to number 5, you might want to read this (Click here).

Conclusion

So how did you do on the questions? Is it time for a reset, or is it time to walk away.

There is actually no shame or guilt in walking away. It is actually one of the most courageous things you can or will ever do. In the long run you will be so much happier and so will the folks who would have been under your area of responsibility.

If it is a reframe or a reset, it is my hope and wish that you do not procrastinate or wait to make the changes. You do not want waste a single minute in helping others become the best versions of themselves and that includes yourself!

Until next time!