The Most Important Leadership Idea, Today
A young leader asked, “What’s the most important leadership idea?” He wants the down and dirty truth. The one thing.
Honestly, my answer changes.
This time I said, “Leadership is about understanding others and getting them to do what they want to do.”
I used to think leadership was getting people to do what I wanted them to do. Sounds great to control freaks. But, I’ve learned that leadership is about others.
The key:
In order to lead people you must know and understand people.
- How do they define success?
- What gives them energy?
- What drains them?
- What are their values?
- What is their background?
- What are their hobbies?
- What makes them proud?
Bonus: What’s their favorite project?
If you don’t know the people you lead, they’re just tools.
Opportunity:
One of your great leadership opportunities is helping people define and clarify their own journey.
Express genuine interest in people.
Treat people like employees, they’ll act like employees. Treat people with dignity, they’ll respect you.
Get started:
Everyone wants to feel known and accepted.
#1. Use their language:
If a salesperson loves fishing, say, “How can we fish for new clients today?”
#2. ask questions:
- Ask a question over coffee. “What’s giving you energy right now,” for example.
- Ask yourself, after they answer, “What did I just learn about them?”
- How can I align your energy with organizational objectives?
#3. ask the second questions:
The second question reveals values and purpose. “What’s important to you about that?”
Motivation connects to purpose and values.
#4. watch for energy:
What are they doing when their eyes light up? Tap into that. Spend your energy fueling theirs.
The most important leadership idea, today: Understand the people on your team.
What’s the most important leadership idea, today?
**See how Facebook fans responded to, “The one thing I’d say to a young leader is ______.”
This is also great advice for teachers and others who lead learning. “What are they doing when their eyes light up?” “What’s important to you about that?” Ask the right questions and you not only learn more, but you convey that you value the input of the other person. Good read to start my day! 🙂
“Treat people like employees, they’ll act like employees. Treat people with dignity, they’ll respect you.” I really believe that this is key. You want employees/colleagues who want to be a part of your team, and you must get to know them to fully understand their mindset. You need those with a growth mindset so you can empower them to take the lead then you really become the leader!
Someone once told me that I was a leader with no followers. At that point of time I understood who I was, but didn’t care to understand others. Leadership is a game of emotional intelligence, and genuinely caring to see the growth and development in others.
what an excellent post – especially about the language. It reminds me of the realization with my kids – I couldn’t expect them to come to me – I had to go where they were to begin to lead them along.
Great post Dan.
I agree 100% that it is always about the people. I sense Leadership is about others “not” seeing you as the boss or manager, but seeing you as someone that they want to work with and for, because you have earned their respect and trust. Your points you make – understanding, interest, acceptance and knowing it’s about them not you, makes my “eyes light up” (copy write credit to Dan Rockwell 🙂 ), when you speak of important leadership ideas.
Thanks Dan.
Your new – old thought on this matter is still a very good idea. I do think that in order for us to get to the place were we can understand others we must first understand ourselves. This article was a great reminder of ” to thy self be true”.
Speak in thei language is very important. Perhaps you could ask “what do you like most going fishing?” Let them tell their emotional story…