The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.
— Kenneth Blanchard
Today’s Wisdom:
A Good Leader Invites.
Some bosses are still tyrannical and ill-tempered. Is it just immaturity, or is some of this vestiges of wartime attitudes that still seep into the management and leadership styles of corporations or even families?
“Do as I say. That’s an order, soldier!”
The big flaw in a bossy leadership style is that civilians are not subject to demands of rank and orders from a autocrats.
They can quit.
They can walk off the job, or worse than any of that, they can undermine everything and stay onboard, resentfully.
What kills morale more than passive-aggresive subordinates mucking up the works, sabotaging projects, and sucking the life out of a group? It’s dire.
Instead, Leaders of this era must INVITE rather than command.
That means that good Leaders draw in their followers rather than intimidating them.
Despot types will always be among us, but the focus in Leadership development these days isn’t about demanding respect. It’s about what gets results and makes positive change. It centers on earning respect.
Do you remember a time when a Leader invited you?
The best examples often come from the world of coaching and mentoring. These relationships are not forced, but forged, mutually.
There, Leadership is not where Authority is the predominant issue; trust is what counts.
I’m happy to be a Contributor at the Deeper Leader SyncrhoBlog that runs September 10-14th.
You’re welcome to add your voice too. Go here to get details. When you contribute, I’ll be sure to check for your link and read your contribution.
I always think it’s interesting that Jesus had all the authority in the world (literally!) and never demanded people follow him for that reason. It was always “come and see” what I’m doing. And when people saw Him at work, and loving people and healing them, they recognized His authority. I think when we flaunt our authority, it’s a reflection of our insecurities. Like, if we didn’t make sure people knew we were in charge, they might think less of us or take advantage of us. Good thoughts today!