Entire industries have been created to study, define and build leaders. Ask any business student or career minded person what they think about the topic and a plethora of responses pour forth. Businesses are leadership obsessed. Their future rests on the ability to cultivate or attract the best leaders. Yet, I've experienced a massive disconnect between the reality of leading and those who aspire to become leaders.
What is the essential element of leadership?
Society tends to amp up the benefits while obscuring reality. Let's strip away the money, respect and titles from the equation and look at the essence of leading: accountability over others. In the context of business: accountability over others and the results they produce. It's reasonable to think whatever methods necessary to produce results is fair-game, right? In fact, that's exactly the problem with most wannabe leaders- they believe the end justifies the mean. That can lead an organization into big trouble.
What quality does a leader need?
When I was thirteen, I lied about my age so that I could start working. I managed to land a gig at a telemarketing company where I quickly befriended the owner and offered my technical expertise on anything the company needed. I was young, eager to please and full of energy. The owner obliged and I found myself working overtime, helping to setup the new office while also building the next network for the company. The owners couldn't have been more than 30 at the time. I watched in awe as they leveraged an energetic mass of teenagers and young twenty-somethings into a very successful enterprise. They did this by structuring the organization in a manner in which the highest ranking manager beneath the executives was 20 years old. This closeness in age, wholesome goodness and approachability endeared her to the rank and file. One night, while building out the network, the owners told me that the secret was to find a genuine person to lead. It was helpful if they were likable too. I wasn't sure how someone could be genuine and not likable, but took the knowledge in.
What sums up leadership?
A few years later, I ended up working closely with a man who built a premier VoIP company before the internet really took off. He loved saying "Excuses don't change results." At 18 years of age, I found it to be a jack-ass comment, but knew he truly believed what he was saying. His straight forward off-the-cuff talk always made clear where you and the company stood. We all respected it.These two jobs revealed a simple truth of leadership: You can be an ass. You can be angel. Both have benefits, both have detractions, but what ultimately brings people together is the genuine nature of a person. And bringing people together is what leadership is all about. For many corporate-types, playing the game refers to the political structures within their organization. It's the unwritten rules of conduct that define success and failure. These transparent chains can feel restrictive to some while others thrive. Restrictive feelings are caused by the suppression of a person’s ability to express themselves. In other words, be real, be genuine, be who they are.
What key trait do all leaders have?
For most of us who grew up in the 80's and 90's, being true to yourself was a core foundations of our education. In school and the workplace, we were told playing the game was the only way to be successful. Of course, that’s never been the case, especially when it came to leadership. Genuine people overcome invisible structures. They frankly don't waste time on them and instead focus on getting the job done. This behavior attracts others that admire their ability to be themselves and to get on with it. This key trait to focus on what matters most is the mark of a leader, as is their ability to attract people.Let's be clear. Being genuine isn't an excuse for negative behavior. Sure you might be the most genuine sociopath the world has known, but hopefully your organizations leadership candidate process has a good screening process. I would venture as far to say that you get help for that before attempting to enter the leadership ranks of your company, unless that truly is the culture of your chosen organization. And if it is, maybe you want to find another place to work!If being genuine is the foundation for leadership, then accountability is the framework.
Where does leadership begin?
The financial crisis left many of us battered and thinking everyone for themselves. After all none of the financial CEO's involved in bringing the economy to its knees were ever held accountable, with the exception of the ones in Iceland. If that's a lesson in accountability, then clearly there’s none, but that simply isn't true. We must first hold ourselves accountable for the lives we live. I’m not talking about the failed New Years resolutions or chores you haven’t done, but the decisions we take on a daily basis that form the foundation of our lives. By holding ourselves accountable to the life we desire, we start building a cadence that emanates outwards towards those we lead. Actions speak louder than words, as cliche yes, but nonetheless, true.
How do real leaders lead?
The fastest way to build such accountability is to lead from the front. This means getting your hands dirty and involved in the situations you direct. When your team sees you in the trenches with them, it breeds deep trust and camaraderie. It’s the foundation for successful teams. Another way of seeing this is to never ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself. Try this for a quarter and see the differences your life takes.
What question must every leader ask?
Every morning, I look in the mirror and tell myself I have to make payroll. It’s a reminder of a major goal I believe makes the difference to the life I live. I’ve been saying this to myself for a decade. It's kept me focused and clear on what matters most. Ask yourself this: “Who am I?” Take a moment to feel what comes up and then begin to ask yourself why you’re the way you are. Ask why 5 times. By the 5th time you’ll uncover a deep, resonant answer. Grab onto it and follow it down the rabbit hole.
What must leaders remember most?
Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM)It’s good to remember there’s a team. Having that clearly in focus helps the decision making process. I tell all my upcoming leaders there will be a moment where what’s right for the team may not be right for you or how you personally feel. It’s the greatest test of a leader, making decisions that don’t take themselves into consideration. The greater the stake, the greater impact. The best thing is always remember your team. Your team is your lifeboat in a hurricane.
What's the winning idea?
I’ve met this situation more time than I would care to have throughout my career. Some situations fundamentally changed my life, but with each of these steps the aftermath brought greater opportunities and possibilities than had I become obstinate or immovable. The truth is life is constant change and by meeting these situations head on, I was able to find a way to roll with it and find a stride that made it possible to succeed. Now, when presented with these circumstances, I get a rush, because I know something incredible lays on the other side. Through knowing who you are, being accountable and genuine, leaders find a path to success. The winning idea is not only build their careers, but build the careers of everyone on the team as well. As you come up you’ll leave in your wake people who are empowered and ready to follow you. No amount of money can buy that. It gives you true power to accomplish any goal. So it comes down to these seven essential principles of leadership.
Be accountable.
Be genuine.
Bring people together.
Focus on what matters most.
Lead from the front.
Know thyself.
Team first.