A631.5.4.RB - Leading System Wide Change

I have seen a few people who have ‘risen’ to positions of power and how much it changed them and not for the better.  People, who as the frontline workers were excited and willing to help others out, who wanted more ‘power for the people’ and who knew they could do something better for their department and organization if they were just given the chance to do so.  They had strong work ethic and still do however the power has gone to their head.  They treat their frontline people like morons who can’t be trusted with simple tasks and they do not hide it either. Instead of honing their skills by working with individuals and teams which benefits everyone they turned into the type of boss that they as frontline people didn’t like.  They lead like dictators where it is their way or no way, there is no room to ask questions or bring ideas to the table.

The Apple video, Think Differently, you hear words like, “rebels”, “trouble makers” and “ones who see things differently” all things that have led to change for the better.  Without these kinds of people we would not see, hear, or do all the amazing things we do in our personal lives as well as the business world.  This video made me think immediately of a person who has led change in a positive way.   This person, who started at the bottom and worked his way to the top while being able to adapt to his environment, never lost sight of continuing to learn from his surroundings and the people he worked with and for.  My former director is the type of person who has made me want to be a leader.  A truly great leader.   His compassion for others as well as being able to get along with everyone while exhibiting emotional intelligence speaks volumes for the type of person he is. He was able to bring our department from the bottom to the top within 5 years while making changes that has helped streamline our processes and turnaround times for most of what we do.

So what is required for a leader to be successful?  Thinking back to how my former director got to where he is now I have come up with a list.  This doesn’t include everything possible of course but I feel that it is a great start to making sure that I will be successful:

·         Open communication: being able to get your vision across to everyone in your department.  It may make perfect sense to you but if your subordinates don’t get it then you are not being clear and concise.

·         Honesty: holding yourself and your team to a higher standard, being ethical and true to yourself and others.  Being able to admit when you are wrong.  Lead by example, if you are leaving early every day your team will think that is ok to do as well so maintain value and integrity.

·         Don’t give yourself a label: a title doesn’t mean anything at the end of the day so why try to be better than everyone else.  You are still the same person when you walk out of the office so don’t throw your title around.  You need to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get dirty just like everyone else.

·         Positive attitude: when times get tough your team looks to you and if they see you fall apart so will they.  They want someone who will be level headed and steady when tensions are high.  Don’t berate your team but instead encourage them to new levels.

·         Have a sense of humor: make work a place that they want to come to.  It doesn’t need to be party central but if you can show your team that mistakes happen and find the humor in it by making light of your mistakes (minor of course major ones may not be a laughing matter) and not getting so upset by it you are showing them that we are all human.

·         Active listening: this I have found so very important.  Everyone can listen but it takes more effort to actively listen to what your team is saying.  Be ready to open your ears and shut your mouth.  You may learn a lot this way.

·         Commitment: not only to your team but to yourself and your job.  Lead by example by being the leader your followers want to be around and learn from.

·         Lead and follow: being able to lead as well as follow is vital to being a great leader.  A wise person once told me that a good leader is one who knows how to step back and let others shine.  Give your team credit always, don’t reserve it for yourself.

Being successful requires all these skills and then some.  I know that it is important to be open and willing to adapt and change as needed.  Not every day is going to go as planned, there will be good ones, there will be bad ones but learning from these days will help me become better not only as leader but as a person.