10 Ways to become the Leader People Follow
Yesterday I met with two new leaders in my organization. It was a “get to know you” and a “where are you going” pow-wow.
At the end of our exchange I asked, “What did you get from our conversation?”
They replied, “You helped us have purpose during our first weeks of involvement. It’s just what we’ve been looking for.”
It’s strange but the words of Jim Quigley, the former global CEO of Deloitte, popped into my head, “People want to be led.”
People want to be led. But they don’t want:
- Bossy leaders.
- Selfish leaders.
- Pompous leaders.
- Verbose leaders.
- Fearful leaders.
- Negative leaders.
- Manipulative leaders.
- Self-protective leaders.
- Dishonest leaders.
- Inconsistent leaders.
People want leaders who:
- They trust will help them build their future.
- Listen to them.
- Understand them.
- Give opportunities for them to shine – who give credit rather than taking it.
- Set direction – who know where they’re going.
- Establish big targets and challenging goals.
- Give meaning to tasks by aligning them with bigger ideas.
- Create accountability.
- Let down their guard – approachable.
- Have focus, but aren’t hard-headed.
Bonus: People want leaders who can teach and be taught.
What type of leader would you follow?
How are you becoming the leader people want to follow?
Dear Dan,
An interesting post. You have provided a real good check-list for every leader to evaluate himself and understand what is that followers really expect.
I may add one or two points more. The leader has to be better knowledgeable and should be caring type. He should be a well-wisher with a human touch and should develop the followers to work on independent responsibilities with creativity..
Dear Dr. Asher,
Thanks for adding your insights.
The idea of developing others to work independently is very powerful because it exponentially enhances both individual and organizational potential.
Best to you,
Dan
I would add “share information” to the list of what followers want from a leader. Too often I think leaders withhold information from others as a way of asserting their own authority (information is privilege). I think people want reasonable transparency from leaders; sharing information helps people do their jobs and makes them feel like respected team members.
Heidi,
I’ve seen weak, fearful leaders take pride in their “privileged” information. For many it’s a means of control. It keeps them feeling they are in-charge.
Thanks for bringing “sharing information” to the list.
Best,
Dan
A leader who can teach AND be taught. That’s what I would love to hear about my leadership. It takes a lot of confidence and humility.
Great list Dan
Thanks Scott…great day to you. cheers
Loved this one…hit the nail on the head!
Hi Matt, thanks for being an encourager. Cheers
Dan,
I think your quote from Jim Quigley is dead on. People do want to be led. I believe leaders want to follow in order to be better leaders. We want to be led by those who have been successful in leadership, so that we may be successful in leading as well.
Keep doing what you do. It’s making a difference.
Tim
Hi Tim,
I love that Jim made that statement. I don’t recall anyone else saying something like that to me.
Thanks for joining in.
Best,
Dan
I agree wholeheartedly with this concept – people want to feel as though they are going somewhere, and that what they are doing today (and tomorrow) matters.
The challenge I often see is that many “leaders” think they are best described by list 2, when it’s really list 1 that better encompasses how they are perceived.
It takes a wise leader to truly understand the perception that people have of him or her, and can make a real shift from the first set of descriptors to the second.
Tim,
Your comment makes me think of how we can delude ourselves into believing we are more skilled than we really are. I think all leaders are challenged to stay humble and open.
If we don’t intentionally invite feedback regarding our performance we can overestimate our skills. I think its true of anyone but leaders especially.
Cheers,
Dan
Thanks for the post Dan. It is right on target and just what I needed to read today!
Hi Matt, I’m thankful you took a moment to encourage me. I appreciate it. Cheers
Very good post! Thank you!
Thanks for the good word. Cheers
Hi,
I love the concept of humble leadership or servant leadership. A leader who deliberately hires ppl better than her to achieve the strategic goals set by the team and the organisation.
That is the leader I love to follow and aspire to be.
Great post! Can use it for my own personal development.
Thanks
Liesl,
Thanks for bringing “servant leadership” to the table. Servants serve and in so doing earn influence. Powerful and practical concepts emerge from the servant leader principles – humility, teachability, courage, subservience to purpose…. and the list goes on.
Best,
Dan
A really helpful list I can use to check myself against. Asking for feedback and acting on it is essential to ensure that I’m the sort of leader I want to be. Thanks again, Dan!
Great list there, Dan.
I particularly like the statement: “People want leaders who can teach and be taught”. How many leaders, I wonder, are open to being taught?
Regards
Debbie
Dear Dan,
I appreciate the point that people want leaders who can teach and be taught. It is so true. It seems, flexibility in approach, willingness to learn and ready to accept is the key to good leadership. I follow the leader who is real and authentic. He should take stand and does not deviate from his promise. He should have courage to face criticism, challenges and ready to correct that. He should not long for position or power, rather he should be ready to empower others.
I want to become the leader who is authentic, honest, accountable with integrity. I try to create trust by setting my own example and by actions. I try to follow what I say to others. Action speaks louder than words. That is the key.
Dan: Great post! I would add that people are looking for a leader that believes in themselves, their organization and their staff. This bridges the ability for others to also believe. Once you have built a community of believers then you have momentum and purpose.
I love this servant leadership
i love the statement people wants leaders who can teach and be taught but sincerely how many leaders who loves to correct instruct and directs embraces the humility of also learning to be corrected instructed and directed. I think many leaders thinks more of the respect they deserve rather than the impact they are to make in the followers.
I believe a leader is someone that is still learning to be the best that he can be. By finding other leaders with other leadership skills. But a good leader should have group or board he can consult with to make the right decisions
Leader who asks thinking questions so that people can come out with their own insights and solutions. You may wan to consider adding this powerful quality to the already powerful list Of qualities above…