Sometimes you blaze a trail. Other times, you lead from behind.
The go-with leader walks beside.
Do-for leaders:
Compassionate leaders lean toward over-help. They jump in too soon. They solve other people’s struggles too quickly. They’re too protective.
Do-for leaders end up disrespected by talented teammates. Quick help feels like an insult to talent. Talent loves to perform. If you help too quickly, you short-circuit their opportunities to perform.
Do-for leaders over-work themselves and under-work their teams.
Arms-length leaders:
Distance feels like indifference when you’re stuck and struggling. Arms-length leaders jump in too late. They show up to save the day, but their teams are already demoralized.
Arms-length leaders end up alone and falling below their potential. Talent wants leadership’s help to develop and succeed.
Unhelpful:
Unhelpful help hinders development by stepping in too soon or too late.
Ineffective help creates weakness.
Go-with leaders:
The goal of go-with leadership is development. The problems of do-for leadership are solved by passion to develop people. Arms-length leadership is cured by walking beside.
Go-with leadership isn’t:
- Doing for.
- Hand holding.
- Enabling helplessness.
Go-with leaders ask:
- What do you want?
- Where are you going?
- What is your goal?
- What kind of help would be helpful?
7 Functions of a go-with leader:
- Respect the talent and potential of others.
- Understand and accept the weakness and frailties of team members.
- Stay available without hovering.
- Allow people to try, fail, and learn. Go-with leaders spend more time on learning than correction.
- Provide a safety net.
- Offer training along with stretching.
- Mentor and coach.
Followers:
You’re worthy of a go-with leader when:
- You don’t have all the answers.
- You monitor your frustration levels. You know when frustration has become hindrance and seek help.
- You enjoy exploring options.
- You work hard before seeking help.
When you read, “Go-with leader,’ what comes to your mind?
How might leaders learn go-with leadership?