Leadership Colloquialism: Leading-Up!

Posted by Scott Williams
6 Comments
November 9, 2009
Leadership | Next-Level Leader

leading upIn the world of leadership you will often times hear various leadership phrases and sayings that I like to refer to as Leadership Colloquialisms.  You know the phrases that every leader has come to be familiar with such as: Walk The Talk, Lead By Example, Attitude Reflects Leadership…

Let’s unpack the Leadership Colloquialism known as “Leading-Up.”  Leading-Up basically means that a leader challenges and exerts their leadership prowess at that next level or higher.  This doesn’t mean that the leader attempts to flex their leadership muscle with their boss.  It simply means that a leader challenges, leads-up and ads value to the organization by being willing to push appropriate organizational envelopes.

Leading-Up is less about the leader being willing to lead-up and more about the leadership culture embracing leading-up.  Leading-up absolutely will not occur if the culture doesn’t truly embrace it.  I love creating a culture of leading-up and having team members that are willing to lead-up.  Not only am I regularly challenged, but it also affords me the opportunity to learn from individuals up and down the organizational chart.

If you want people to Lead-Up, create a culture that allows it.  If you want people to Lead-Up, be prepared for strong opinions.  If you want people to Lead-Up, don’t hire yes men and women, hire leaders.  If you want people to Lead-Up, you better walk the talk and remember that attitude reflects leadership captain.

Share your thoughts on Leading-Up and your experiences with the ability or inability to Lead-Up!

  • http://www.jasoncurlee.com Jason Curlee

    I think you bring up a strong point…the “leader” of the organization sets the tone for this and if they give permission for this to happen it will bring out only the best.

    Leading up can happen.

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  • http://www.annalightministries.com Anna Light

    Couldn’t survive without it!

  • http://www.twitter.com/marcmillan Marc Millan

    The Leaders I admire most are leaders who are comfortable in their own skin, seek opinions outside of their own and are learners.
    There exists however, “other” leaders who have a “top down” mentality.
    I think I was let go from my previous church for “leading up” too often, but hey, I am just guessing, I am JUST guessing.

    I allow it to happen, BUT for me its with filters.
    1. From people who know about THAT area, ministry or subject. Guru’s
    2. People who love ME for ME and care about ME, loved ones.
    3. People who simply know MORE than me, experienced folks.
    IF you have those attributes, I am looking for you, seeking you out, speak up, speak often, speak loud and proud.

  • http://www.parkeladd.com Parke Ladd

    Great post Scott. Creating an environment of creative, innovative communication between all of levels of working positions within an organization is crucial to the progression and succes of the organization. This type if work culture is so desirable, and it really helps grow happy, creative employees as well as humble, responsive bosses. Don’t hire yes men. Hire leaders. Right on.

  • http://emmanuelgonot.com Emmanuel Gonot

    Scott, I’m new to your site, glad I clicked on your Twitter DM link. I think the focus on creating a culture of people who are willing to lead-up rather than on any individual leader makes the crucial difference here. The team can lead up and introduce the culture to other teams in the organization and won’t be disadvantaged if any one individual leader leaves the team. A winning concept, thanks for sharing.

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