Everyone’s job is to make everyone better.
Success comes to leaders who multiply leaders.
Leadership is more about freedom than control. Provide direction. Establish boundaries. Release competent people to tell themselves how to act.
Evaluate
Make a list of leaders who develop leaders because of you.
Who is better because of you?
Leaders Who Don’t Develop Leaders
- Cling to authority. Freedom terrifies authoritarian leaders. Teammates aren’t rivals.
- Work alone. Invite people into your work.
- Make themselves indispensable.
- Rely on telling. Leaders grow by making decisions, not following instructions.
- Fear mistakes. Perfectionists can’t allow others to test their wings.
How to Multiply Leaders
- Ignore the organizational chart. Look for those with aspirations to serve. Exclude those who aren’t faithful contributors already.
- Teach the fundamental leadership to everyone. (Kouzes and Posner):
- Model the way.
- Inspire shared vision.
- Challenge the process.
- Enable others to act.
- Encourage the heart.
- Teach everyone how to mentor, coach, and give feedback. Growth is more important than position. Expect everyone to contribute to everyone’s growth. If they refuse, remove them.
- Tell the truth compassionately. Coddling is affirming, not developing.
- Invite people to stretch themselves. Learn how to Put Weight on People.
Bonus: Make room for consequences. Don’t blame, but don’t shield either. Ask, “What are you going to do about it?”
Build the future by multiplying leaders. Reject passengers. Build a culture of multipliers.
What can you do to grow leaders today?
