ELEPHANT ALERT!
Effective leaders know their company must be better than the competition. But how many leaders add this twist: they think they must also be better than the people around them?
Are you putting pressure on yourself to be the best – and a version of “best” that means better than everyone else?
Here’s the elephant in the office: Too many think “leadership” means being better than those around them. They make sure others are good at what they do, but not too good; they claim the credit; they ensure they speak last; and they keep people from running with their greatest strengths, lest those strengths claim too much attention.
This approach incurs many costs, including:
- whenever the “leader” is out of the room results suffer, and
- tomorrow’s success is left to chance as eventually the “leader” will depart.
STOMP THE ELEPHANT
Want to create magic? Over the next fourteen days make a commitment to operate with a rare and effective mindset. Commit to lead in a way that makes everyone around you better than you. Take steps in your communications and actions to ensure that every single time they leave you they are better than when they came to you.
Then observe what happens to the level of trust and respect around you. Watch how people solicit your feedback and guidance. Measure how your influence – and results – grows.
The old adage is true: the more you give, the more you get back. Are you leading so you can be great or using an approach that focuses on making those around you great first? Your answer determines your success. And only one answer guarantees that tomorrow will be better than today.
Where will you lead – where will you stomp elephants – today?
