Don’t wait for a promotion or for permission

I was listening to an interview with Jeff Weiner, LinkedIn CEO on the characteristics of a powerful leader. His view is that managers tell people what to do and leaders inspire them to do it. I love this statement. They are not always synonymous and there is a time and place for both.

10 years ago I was given an opportunity to manage a team of sales reps. Like most managers, I was not given a manual on how to do this and guess what? I made a lot of mistakes. At the time I only had one way of operating – my way. If people didn’t fall into that bucket, I really struggled to relate and empower. I wasn’t a leader – I managed, and didn’t do that really well either.

My belief is this – leading is not always a title or hierarchy. You can choose to lead every day. Every encounter you have is an opportunity to lead (teach/inspire) or to be led (learn/be inspired). You don’t need a title or permission to do that. “When you know, teach. When you get, give” – Maya Angelo

Strong leaders surround themselves with people from different backgrounds with different opinions. This breeds creativity. It allows them to focus on what they love to do and what gives them energy. Healthy debates = Balanced outcomes. How boring would life be without being challenged? In Morten T. Hansen’s book “Great at Work” he found in a study of 5000 managers the best performers are good at generating rigorous discussions in team meetings.

I have also learned that loyalty and working for a leader who inspires you will always trump working for the cool start up. True leaders empower their teams to continuously challenge and change the rules. A big company can feel like the innovative startup with the right leaders driving the right culture.

Sonya D Mathieu