S.I.M.P.L.E. Leadership - Part 6

 

Launch your Leaders into Leadership

Every leader faces the point at which the potential supporting cast has been selected, the job description has been made clear, the potential role has been modeled for them, they have been prepared to take on a leading role, and it is time to launch them.  I’m not sure that this launch will ever take place without a certain amount of apprehension, but they must be launched.  When launching new leaders there are a number of things that must be kept in mind:

1.  You MUST launch.

People will be more than happy to go through the process of preparation.  In fact, they will welcome the preparation because they will want to succeed.  However, there is a point that preparation will become frustration.  The ability to discern one’s readiness must be developed.  Launch them too soon and they will fail.  Hold them too long and they will grow frustrated and discouraged.  Make a decision to launch, and then do it.

2.  Trust your people.

You have invested time, energy, and money preparing these people to lead.  You would not have done this if you did not see something promising in them in the first place.  Accept the fact up front that they will not do it the way you would.  They also will not do it the way you pictured it being done, but give them a chance.  If you had the time or energy to do it yourself, you would have.  Give your leaders some leeway.  Give them a chance to do it their way.  Who knows, they just might do it better than you could have.

3.  Give your people some room.

There will be those people who need constant monitoring.  However, these are not your leaders.  Leaders are self-starters.  Leaders are dreamers.  Leaders are people who are constantly taking stock of what is at hand and how it can be done better.  Nothing will frustrate a leader faster than someone constantly looking over their shoulder.  If people have proven that they can be trusted, then give them room.  If they have proven that they cannot be trusted, then remove them from leadership.

4.  Expect big things of your people.

I remember taking a class in college called “The Psychology of Teaching.”  In this class we learned about a concept that was called “a self-fulfilling prophecy.”  In short, the idea is one that states people will perform as you expect them to perform.  If you expect them to fail, they will.  If you expect them to succeed, they will.  As the leader of leaders, you must have high hopes, high expectations, and a high faith level in your people.  If you think they will fail, you will inadvertently treat them in a way that brings about the feared failure.  Think success, expect success, and you will get success.

5.  Listen to your people.

The people who are on the front lines will have perspective that no one else has.  They experience things and see things that others don’t.  Often these experiences inform their performance.  Such understanding often allows them to discover methods and approaches that will work better than those that were initially developed.  A leader is wise to listen to those on the front line.  Pride can get in the way of the success of the organization.  Don’t let this happen to your organization.  Dispense with the pride and listen to those around you.

6.  Brag on your people.

Bragging on your team will not make you look smaller or indispensable.  In fact, it makes you look stronger and more secure.  People need affirmation.  In fact, people who work hard deserve affirmation.  It is important that the leader be quick to take blame and even quicker to share praise.  If your team knows that you appreciate and brag on them, they will work even harder for you.  Don’t let your pride keep you from getting the best from your team.  They deserve your recognition.

7.  Support your team.

It is imperative, that as the leader, you give the people around you what they need to succeed.  Certainly there will be times to deny request, but not when it comes to getting a job done and done correctly.  View yourself as one who clears the way for others to succeed.  Sometimes this will mean clearing road blocks and sometimes it will mean providing the necessary resources.  Whatever the case, make sure your team has everything they need to succeed.