15 Ways to Know Your CEO is Worthy of Being Followed
Nothing useful ever happens when a disconnected high-and-mighty leader shows up for a visit.
The memo:
When high-and-mighty leaders show up, a memo goes out that reads something like, “The big cheese will be in our offices tomorrow afternoon. Make appropriate preparations.”
The leader in the above organization expects others to serve him/her. She enjoys being worshipped. His arrival signals stress, not enthusiasm.
Most people wish egotistical leaders would stay away.
The arrival of a ‘leader from on high’ is a frustrating distraction for the people who are doing real work.
A CEO worthy of being followed is:
- Highly visible.
- Readily accessible. A leader worthy of being followed has time for people.
- Passionate about developing and promoting people.
- Curious about people as people.
- Excited about the work everyone is doing.
- Offended by elaborate displays of pomp.
- Dedicated to turning praise toward others.
- Not impressed with personal perks. The trappings of power fuel ego.
- Ready to grab a shovel and dig with everyone else.
- Optimistic in the face of challenges.
- Humble. Ask your leader what they’re learning about leadership. If you’re afraid to ask because they’ll be offended, you already know they’re unworthy of being followed.
- Eager to smile and laugh.
- Systematic about seeking feedback.
- Determined to make progress while enjoying the process.
- Committed to the best interest of the organization as a whole.
Leaders worthy of being following work FOR their teams and everyone knows it. Lousy leaders work for themselves.
What’s on your list of qualities that make a leader worthy of being followed?
What’s at the top of your list? Why?
Leaders who are good at what they do, but GREAT at who they are. Character > competence
Thanks Brian. You’ve captured most of this post in one sentence!
LOVE that, Brian!
Leaders who are unscrupulously truthful (even when it hurts), authentic (same person no matter who they are with) and disciplined (consistently do the right thing even when they don’t feel like it) – thanks John Maxwell…
I see you’re passionate about this!
I worked for someone who had about 200 people in his purview. This was in the 1980s/1990s during a time of layoffs an budget cuts. One year, he took no pay raise himself so as to have more to go around to his employees. I was the only one who knew that because I dealt with those numbers. I know that I wanted to do my best for that leader – very worthy of following leaders that make sacrifices for their employees…even ones who might not be appreciative.
Thanks Kathy. What a great story. Your last line is important. You might not always be appreciated. Many people won’t know or appreciate the challenges of leadership. That doesn’t matter. Do what is right regardless of others. We call that character.
Lot of good points. I would add:
-Simplifies the complex
-Inspiring
-Takes a clear position
-Present–gives you his total undivided attention
Thanks Paul. One of my favorites is simplifies the complex. Any fool can make something complex. Perhaps complexity is safety for the fearful. (Just a thought)
Complexity is easy. Simplicity is difficult. One reason it’s difficult is you have to feel confused before you find clarity and simplicity.