Great Leaders Challenge “The King”

Posted by Scott Williams
22 Comments
December 13, 2010
Leaders | Leadership | Next-Level Leader

In all my years of leadership/followership and from my experience providing leadership consulting, I have come to realize that Great Leaders and Great Leadership Cultures are willing to Challenge ‘The King.”   I’m not talking about challenging LeBron to a game of 1 on 1.  I’m referring to “The King” as the Big Boss, The CEO, The Department Chair, Team Leader, The Senior Pastor, The President… The Senior Leader that’s making the decisions, ‘The King.”

What generally happens in an organization is that ”The King” develops a style, a system and a reputation for the types of decisions that he will make and the type of feedback that they will take. BTW- that “he” can also be a “she.”  Those that are closest to “The King” begin to accept those tendencies as the law and over-time challengeable actions, decisions and offenses go un-challenged.  The excuses range from,”that’s just how so and so is, to you know they will not even entertain that thought.”  This type of situation and culture is not good for “The King” nor the leaders that follow him.

“The King” ends up leading from an isolated rarely challenged clueless bubble that’s not going to bust because it’s not being poked, prodded and challenged.  Those that follow “The King” will sit around and talk about what ”The King” is or is not doing and the decisions ”The King” is or is not making, which only leads to more problems for “The King” and the organization.

Great Leaders Challenge “The King” which makes them better leaders and him a better King.  If an organization is being led by a King that is not willing to be challenged by those around him, the organization is being set up for failure.   If leaders are not willing to challenge “The King” they will never be great leaders.  If an organizational culture does not embrace challenge at all levels, it’s time to change the culture.  Great Leaders Challenge “The King” and Great Kings create a culture where all things, decisions and people will be challenged — Even “The King.”

If an organizational culture allows for this absolute, imperious, or overbearing control to permeate through their organization, they are setting their organization up to become a dictatorship.

Great Leaders Challenge “The King” and Great Kings Want To Be Challenged

Share your thoughts and experiences with either side of this coin.

  • http://www.lifechurchga.tv Ken Joslin

    Would love to know an area in your life that your team has challenged you on recently & how that helped grow the team?

    • Scott Williams

      Had a team member challenge me on how I was spending my time. It allowed us to have focused conversations on the altitude of leadership things that he and I both should be spending our time on. Since that conversation he has done a much better job of leading at a higher altitude, not focus on petty things and focusing on his responsibilities rather than what everyone else may or may not be doing.

      • http://www.kevinpmahan.com Kevin

        Thanks Scott for this example. I just had a similar conversation with my direct report about how he was using his time. He came away rethinking a couple things and I came away with a much better understanding and respect for what he’s doing that I don’t see.

        And… we got back to work (instead of fuming inside and not saying anything, the dark side of never challenging)!

  • http://www.derwinlgray.com Derwin L. Gray

    Good word Scott. I made sure to staff my leadership team at Transformation Church with people more gifted than I was. I wanted the perspectives of older, wiser sages to journey with me and I with them.

    And as a Lead Pastor, it seems that the Apostle Paul taught a plural-ness to leadership in the church, not a king. There is only one King; King Jesus.

    Pastor Derwin

  • Scott Williams

    Thanks Derwin, well said!

  • http://thompsonland.tk Bryan Thompson

    Great post, Scott. I realize this isn’t all work-related, but I have worked for “Kings” who were out to make the most of their work and team and who were approachable. And I have also worked for “Kings” who say, “Off with his head,” to anyone who dares challenge their authority. I’ve learned that the Kings who are open-minded and out for the best interest of their teams actually like it when a thoughtful employee challenges them. We all have so much to learn from each other, and there’s a way to humbly do so. (And if we work for a tyrant, get out at once.)

    I heard someone say once that many people think Richard Branson lives the good life, but if you were to spend a day with him, you’d realize early on that he’s got a lot to be stressed about.

    Thanks for the thoughts! Good material, brother.

    • Scott Williams

      Off w/ their head… ouch! thanks for your comments and thanks for reading

  • http://livingonthenextlevel.blogspot.com/ Colby Brown

    Another awesome post, Scott.

    I have worked for both great leaders and tyrants.. And Bryan is 100% right when he says “if we work for a tyrant, get out at once.” Tyrants obviously do not want to be challenged, and won’t even put up with any sort of questioning (no matter how humble the approach). This doesn’t allow for future leaders to grow into great leaders.. It is so important to make sure we are following people WORTH following!

    Thanks for the insight, dude!

    • Scott Williams

      Agreed Tyrants are no fun… Following people worth following!

  • http://www.higherglory.com James Starr

    I think one of the things that Jesus taught us about leadership is that the greatest leaders are the greatest servants. The world’s way is to lord over those that are under you. God’s way is to come underneath those that are ‘under’ you and raise them up. God wants to teach us how to be fathers. There are tons of instructors and teachers, but not many fathers. A son will always come back to his father. I try to always remember that the greatest resources that a church / company / organization has is its people. The real riches are the people, not the profit margin or growth. Leaders invest in their people.

    • Scott Williams

      I try to always remember that the greatest resources that a church / company / organization has is its people. VERY VERY IMPORTANT STATEMENT!

  • http://www.helpfindkids.org Robert

    I always challenge my boss to go further. ;-)

    • Scott Williams

      Amen… love those types of challenges!

  • Randy

    i did that once and now I’m self employed ;) . Lifes never been better!

    • Scott Williams

      LOL and Awesome! ;-)

  • Terry

    Excellent post. I want those who serve with we to challenge me. Our organizational culture struggles to embrace this concept because it has always been, “Do as I say, not as do.” The challenge makes me better as a leader. It’s tough to get older leaders to embrace this concept though.

    • Scott Williams

      Yes and you can definitely learn form those environments… Change is not easy! Keep pressing on!

  • L.A.

    I’m in the middle of walking away because “the king” doesn’t want challenged. He doesn’t want me to do anything beyond what he asks done. However, when the Elders were informed of it I was asked to sit down with the Elders and denominational overseer. That happens in the next 24 hours. I have no idea what will happen, but I pray the truth is set forth and a decision is made. This church has great potential for growth. I pray I’ll see it first hand.

    • Scott Williams

      Praying God’s vision be placed in all of the parties involved. Thanks for sharing!

  • http://jason_krohnus@yahoo.com Jason

    Great post,

    Here’s a question from a developing leader.

    What’s the process of challenging “rightly” look like? How do we do this with tact, respect and then deal with the consequences?

    I’m young and am personally working through my own fear issues with this and understand this is part of the process, but some practical thoughts on this would be helpful I think. Don’t you?

    • Scott Williams

      Honestly the best thing is to sit down and lave the leading-up conversation. I blogged about leading up here: http://bit.ly/dRyyhJ

  • Jamiedonwheat

    I teach 9th grade English and coach high school tennis… What are some ways to implement this idea into making my students & athletes better people / leaders? Anyone with input is welcome. Scott, love your stuff. Praying for your book to hit some hearts.

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