Leadership: of followers not just bosses

Published: 2011-09-04 There are 6 comments ... please add yours below

This Potshot was prompted by:

Prompted by “Surviving your new CEO”
Harvard Business Review, May 2007

URL: http://hbr.org/2007/05/surviving-your-new-ceo/ar/1

(Please note: pages linked here may require a subscription with the publisher to view the full page)

You can only excel if you engage and motivate your team members and other key followers

not becoming preoccupied with pleasing your bosses and other stakeholders

Who’s more important for you: your boss or your team members? Not easy. We all have to balance the expectations of a range of people. However, as any sports captain knows, there’s no game without players. And, that means your direct reports, who do the work. So, let’s invert the mindset of an old HBR article entitled “Surviving your new boss”? To start your thinking, ask yourself this: what would my team suggest I do differently, so they’ll better survive my leadership? Below are some thoughts under the seven headings from the original article but with each refocused on the needs of your team rather than your boss.

Show your followers goodwill. How would they sum up your current attitude? What would they advise: to engage with them better as individuals; share more of yourself so they get to know you? Is it about listening more? Or what?
Leave your baggage at the door. What assumptions or attitudes from past jobs have you brought into your current leadership that are irrelevant to your present situation and team? What’s the main thing the team members would mention? Go on, make a guess!
Study your people’s working styles. How does each differ? And, therefore, what adjustments could YOU make so you train, guide and support each person most effectively? Going further, what can you learn from THEM?
Understand their agendas. What do you know of their individual priorities, ambitions, goals – and concerns. Can you empathise with what they want? What’s the most important thing each would want you to do – to bolster and resource their journey?
Present a realistic and honest assessment. Are you open and seek out the facts? Or, do you need more diversity in your sources? When it comes to delivering feedback and evaluations, are you caring but also forthright and honest?
Be on your game. Are you working as well as you could? Would people say you’re excelling in the technical, commercial and interpersonal aspects of your leadership? What would others mark as the biggest opportunity for lifting your game?
Offer objective options. Have you discussed and explored with your team a full range of strategic, tactical and operational business policies or plans? What input did they make; and, what did you do with it? Would they say you made any significant changes?

For success, we need the support of our bosses and peers – as well as our team members. But, if you want to succeed long-term (really delivering the goods), your must-have is the support of your team. They’re the ones, who’ll make it happen. What’s been your experience?

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Dr. Timothy Pascoe AM
PhD (Cambridge), MBA (Harvard), BE & BEc (Adelaide)
Creator, V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership^®

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Comments (6)

Timothy Pascoe - date: 2011/09/09 09:50 am

Dear Kurt,

You're spot on in saying we have to work with what we've got. Too often people complain about their situation and the constraints they face. This is understandable since none of us like being hemmed in. However, the effective leader works with his/her people to address the limitations (including their own) and find a way through to success.

Thanks,

Timothy

Kurt Rieger - date: 2011/09/07 09:12 am

My motto is:
You always have to work with what you have, plant equipment, procedures, people and you have to work to the highest possibility with these resources. People are the business - they are the key to success. One thing I learned in my life - I am my own boss and changes in my bosses has never affeced my performance.
As a child in Germany - prisoners of war came to my fathers workshop and one told a horrific story. The guards treated him terribley but he always smiled. On the day of his release they asked him why he always smiled - he told them that from this day on he would not have to put his night soils into their morning coffee - he smiled and left.

Timothy Pascoe - date: 2011/09/06 07:40 am

Dear Phadke,

Thanks for your kind comment - and your generosity in including me as one of your teachers.

For me, everyone is a teacher. Each person has something to show others, just as each of us must learn something new every day. When we stop learning, our value and relevance slips. And, failing to operate in a way from which others can learn is to fall short of our potential.

Best wishes and again thank you.

Timothy

Timothy Pasce - date: 2011/09/06 07:35 am

Dear Peter,

What a great quote. You're right, being a true follower is an active not a passive role.

Best wishes,

Timothy

Phadke S. N. - date: 2011/09/05 06:48 pm

Namaste Dr. Timothy Sir,

Thanks a lot for this pot shot. Each tips/tricks as suggested & proposed by you, are the need of real times.

I am not sure about how they are important to other part of the world than India (since I have no knowledge & voice too about other countries, businesses & business owners)? But they do matters to India and tons of Indian businesses + their owners including some of the top 100 business corporate houses.

I thank you for sharing these tips/tricks.

I would also like to inform you that, today India and many Indians (some & not 120++ Cr. Indians since they are not aware & empowered) do celebrate "Teacher's" Day". I salute you for being eTeacher of myself on the web.

Sincerely I remain,

Phadke S. N.

Peter Cook - date: 2011/09/05 06:00 pm

Timothy,

Great post - The perspective of followers is vital for a leader. Without them a leader is not a leader.

A little quote I dreamed up in the bath which found its way into my book 'Sex, Leadership and Rock'n'Roll'

"Leaders need followers, not fans. Fans will follow you over a cliff, followers will tell you before you reach the edge"

atb

Peter

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Leadership: of followers not just bosses

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