Big Is The New Small

In 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!

I’m Not A Leadership Expert; However, I embrace the fact that God has given me the gift of leadership.  Just like any other gift, the gift of leadership has to be developed.

There are many “Leadership Experts” out there, although they may have the label “Expert” that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have arrived.   They are always in training!  In my opinion George Barna is a Leadership Expert, at-least from the perspective of having research and empirical data to back his leadership thoughts and philosophies.  Barna says this: “Leadership is a gift and calling from God… Genuine leaders are interested in leadership and like sharing it with others.”

I’m Not A Leadership Expert; However…

• I ask God for leadership discernment.
• I encourage, develop and foster leadership growth in those around me.
• I lead out of the natural leadership gifts that God has given me.
• I don”t try to lead like so and so.
• I ask God to reveal and revive my leadership weaknesses.
• I believe that everyone can be a better leader tomorrow than they are today.
• I ask God for confidence and boldness.
• I embrace that genuine care and concern for your team is Priority #1.
• I care less about what people think and more about what’s right.
• I Lead!

I’m Not A Leadership Expert; However, I believe that leaders have a responsibility to to not only grow and develop their team, but a responsibility to grow and develop themselves.   I’m Not A Leadership Expert; However, I know that genuine effective leadership does not happen without effort.

Share your thoughts!

I’ve always been intrigued by leaders, coaches and teams that use the phrase “Surrounded By The Best!” You would think this would be an obvious or natural response for all leaders “I Want To Be Surrounded By The Best!”  The reality is that many leaders desire to be the best and surround themselves with mediocrity.

The word best is an illusive term; however it’s defined as being of the highest quality, excellence, the best work, desirable etc.  With that definition in mind, a leader should want the best, understanding the fact that they are responsible for developing their team to be the best.  If you look at sports teams that have a tradition of winning and being the best, you will find a head coach that surrounds himself with the best assistant coaches in the business.  You will also find a program where everyone in the country is trying to recruit and hire those assistant coaches.  Why?  It’s simple, they are high quality, desirable and the best.

I was visiting with an executive level leader last week and he was talking about his senior leaders philosophy as it relates their leadership team.  His senior leader said this “I want guys on my team who are high capacity, high quality, I want the best.  I want guys on my team whose phone rings from people outside of our organization.  I want the guys that other guys want.”  I shared a post early this year entitled The Best Leader that outlines OU Head Football Coach Bob Stoops’ leadership and the sending out of 6 head coaches in the last 6 years.

If you want to be Surrounded By The Best, you must embrace these three things:

1. It’s your responsibility to develop your team and give them opportunities to be the best.
2. You have to give those that are “The Best” room to fly, dream big and try new things.
3. You must openly embrace that best will not only be sought after, but sometimes the best will leave and take those best practices other places.

Anyone can be the best with hard work, commitment, dedication, learning, leading and having the willingness to be Surrounded By The Best.

Share your thoughts on Surrounded By The Best.

When you read a statement like “The Trust Of Leadership” it draws out a wide range of emotions.  Those emotions are derived from the types of experiences you’ve had with other leaders, your leadership and leadership in general.  There are many leadership experts, authors and professionals that define the essence of leadership in varying fashions.  I personally think the essence of leadership is Trust, “The Trust Of Leadership.”

We can break “The Trust Of Leadership” down into two simple categories:

1. The Team Trusts The Leader-   This is one of the most important aspects of leadership, ensuring that a leader earns the trust of his/her team.  Earn is the operative word; positional equity will only get you so far.  In order for a leader to be truly successful they must have the relational equity in addition to the “Trust Equity” of their team members.  Integrity, genuine care an concern for the team, proven track record success, boldness, no “yes man” syndrome… are just a few of the ways that a team will begin to truly trust a leader.  ~The Trust of Leadership
2. The Leader Trusts The Team- This is probably the second most important aspect of leadership and its often over-looked and very rarely carried out.  When I say trust your team that means believing in them so much that you don’t micro-manage, you get out of their way, you correct when necessary, you encourage them to lead up, you maximize their strengths and you watch them soar.  I was reading George Barna’s new book Master Leaders and in one excerpt this question was asked of many leaders: “How does a leader gain people’s trust?”  Seth Godin responded:  ”You have to trust them.”  (That’s simple, but brilliant!)  Ralph Winter added to Seth’s answer by stating this “Trust is letting people have as much rope as they need to be sure they feel good and can deliver the goods.”  Actions speak louder than words, live out trusting your people.  ~The Trust Of Leadership

I’m in no way saying I have all of the answers and I have this leadership thing figured out; however I am saying that leadership is based on trust.  I’ve always tried to lead with integrity, care and concern; embracing the fact that if people don’t trust you, they won’t follow you.  On the other hand, I truly believe in and trust my people.  I trust them so much that they have no choice but to believe in and trust themselves.  If I believe my team can fly, even if they can’t, they will get darn close.  Help your team to soar, TRUST THEM!

What has been your experience on either side of “The Trust Of Leadership?”  Share your thoughts!

A commonly asked question amongst potential next-level leaders, high-level leaders and people in general is “Do I Have What It Takes?”  Do I have What It Takes to take my leadership, craft, vision, skills… to the next level?   There is definitely no easy answer to that question; however I believe that there are some signs that begin to reveal to individuals that they have what it takes.

Here are 5 Signs You’ve Got What It Takes:

1. Every once and awhile you question whether or not you have what it takes.
2. Those people closest to you are always encouraging you to do more, try more, be more and remind you that you have what it takes to go to the next-level.
3. When you look at others who are at that next-level; deep down inside you say “I can definitely do that and you know what, I might even be able to do it better.”
4. You are willing to get out of those self-imposed “Comfort Zones.”
5. You can look in the mirror and boldly say “I’ve Got What It Takes!”

One thing that is true about successful people is this:  “At some point in time on a successful person’s journey, they began to truly believe that success was the only option.”

God Believes In You… It’s Time To Believe In Yourself.  You’ve Got What It Takes!

Do You Have What It Takes?  Share your thoughts on this list or add additional signs to the list.

The phrase “I Like Your Style!” is one of those seemingly un-meaningful  phrases that is actually the ultimate compliment.

The word style is defined as: A particular, distinctive, or characteristic mode of action or manner of acting or execution.

By this definition when someone says, “I Like Your Style!” they are saying they like the manner in which you do what you do.  We have all heard this phrase “It’s not what you say… it’s how you say it!”  That phrase is very similar to “I Like Your Style!”

There are many different ways to lead, parent, teach, coach, preach, write, sing, draw, dress, paint… the important things is for individuals to find their style and execute those things in the manner in that’s unique to them.  I have never heard someone say, “I Like The Fact That Your Style Is Identical to So and So’s!”  Nope, you’re not going to hear that phrase often nor do you want to.  You might get an every now and again “I Like Your Style, It’s Similar to So and So!” and that’s perfectly OK, we all have inspirations from outside sources and similarities to others.  Find you and yours… MAKE IT YOUR OWN!

One of the many keys to Life is to find your style.  Who knows someone may pay you the ultimate compliment and say, “I Like Your Style!”

“Do You! It’s A Statement… Not A Question!”

Have you recently or in the past, either been given or made this compliment to someone? Share your thoughts!

We have all worked for various types of leaders with various types of leadership gifts; however every once and awhile we get to work for that leader whom we would follow anywhere.  One of the ultimate compliments an employee can pay to their leader is “I would work for you or follow you anywhere!”  This doesn’t mean that it’s all about that leader, it simply means that particular employee was bought into how that leader carried the organizational vision and how that leader impacted them personally.

I have personally made that statement to a leader that I have worked for and have been humbled by having individuals that I have worked alongside pay me that same compliment.  I have a hypothesis on the reasons why someone would make such a bold statement.  Here is a top to list for reasons “I Will Follow That Leader Anywhere!”

1. They have a mind of their own, not a “Yes man.”
2. They always maintain a high degree of integrity.
3. They don’t have temper tantrums; yell, scream, cuss…
4. They truly care about their employees personally, what’s happening in their lives outside of the organization.
5. They are committed to developing and making every team member better.  They maximize the gifts of their employees, don’t micro-manage and free-up their employees to soar.  Under their tutelage employees are better leaders both personally and professionally.
6. They always let their employees know where they stand, no surprises.
7. They are willing to receive input and feedback from employees throughout the organizational chart.
8. They balance confidence, humility and confidence.
9. They can remain appropriately calm under pressure, under fire, under the gun…
10. They produce results and success; They’re Winners!  Although they are successful they understand that their commitment to this world is beyond their role, beyond their degree, beyond their success…  Their mark will truly be identified as someone who genuinely cared about people and made positive impacts in the lives of people.

There is no better Leader to follow anywhere than Jesus; however it’s great to have leaders whose leadership impacts you positively enough that you would utter this phrase “I Will Follow That Leader Anywhere!”

Have you worked for that leader?  Have you been that leader?  Share your thoughts on this list or add additional points to this list.

Neutrality is defined as: the state of being neutral; refusal to take part in a war between other powers; the policy or status of a nation that does not participate in a war between other nations.  Often times “supposed leaders” will take the position of neutrality rather than taking the position of leadership.  Leadership could care less about neutrality and even thrives on the ability to engage in war with other parties, policies, people, practices, direction, rules… if the engagement can result in moving their team closer to the goal.

There is nothing weaker than a “supposed leader” that sits in a room and waits to see the direction that the wind is blowing before they make a decision.  A true leader must have a mind of their own and not simply take the position of neutrality because it’s comfortable, feels good or won’t hurt anyone’s feelings.   Neutrality and insecurity are kissing cousins; they go hand-in-hand “Hi my name is name is Bob and I want to be a leader, but deep down I’m insecure; so instead of embracing leadership, I settle for neutrality.”

A leader should always be wise, discerning and take all things into consideration when making decisions; however they should never make decisions for the sake of being a neutralist.  All of us have either worked for or around a neutralist, or maybe we’re the nuetralist ourselves.  Neutrality Is Not Leadership, because leadership requires movement, engagement, action, war… and neutrality is simply the state of being neutral.

Remember: Your car doesn’t move while in neutral.  Neutrality embraces status quo, while leadership yearns to grow! 

Have you worked for or around a nuetralist?  Are you a struggling neutralist?  Share your thoughts on Neutrality vs. Leadership!

I have been blessed with the opportunity to have over 15 years of significant leadership experience at a relatively young age.  That experience has created opportunities for me to learn, live, grow and witness various leadership trends.  Those trends have been in the form of “What Works” successful trends and trends that are… well let’s just say not the most effective.

A trend that I have found to be consistent in corrections, politics, sales, academia and ministry; are leaders who talk noise behind their supervisor’s or other leaders back, but are unwilling to say anything to the leader face-to-face.  I have worked with correctional officers who complained about their Chief of Security behind his back, but were unwilling to say anything when the supervisor was in the room.  I have watched ministry leaders complain about their supervisor’s style, decisions, or direction; but are literally as quiet as a church mouse when that supervisor is around.

The cause of this reluctance to speak-up is often times fueled by fear, intimidation, uncertainty, insecurity, inadequacy etc.  Let’s go ahead and lay all of the chips on the table, if you are a leader, you need to step up and lead.  Just because I’m a supervisor doesn’t mean I can’t be challenged or confronted; as a matter of fact it’s just the opposite.  Because I’m a leader I should be challenged, confronted and encouraged to my face; none of the behind the back stuff.  If you are a so-called leader and you have beef with your supervisor in any shape, form or fashion you should let them know.  For the health of you, your organization, your peers and your boss… If you have a problem with your brother go confront him and show him his fault; That’s Biblical!

Keep it real and openly let your supervisor know the deal.  Leaders Need To Put-Up or Shut-Up!  Next time you experience this type of behavior, look at the person making the comments and say: “Put-Up or Shut-Up!” 

Have you witnessed or participated in this type of behavior?  What causes it?  Share your thoughts!

Leadership is often times as much about what you see and have seen, as it is about what you know.  In other-words there are many book smart leaders, philosophical leaders and paper leaders that Can’t See Leadership.   Here is what I mean by a leader seeing leadership:

• Have seen failure up close and personal and always learn from what they’ve seen.
• See when someone has the gift of leadership and help to develop that natural gift.
• See themselves in the mirror as others see them… good self-awareness and reality testing.
• See through problems and recognize/offer solutions.
• See their boss as another person and not as some untouchable, un-challengeable figure.
• See the other side of the mountain when other’s only see a hill. 
• See [Fill in the blank!]

As a leader you must be willing to see leadership, always learn from what you see, realize there are opportunities to learn all around you, embrace your unique life experiences that contribute to your leadership, see opportunities within the problems, see success… 

You must embrace the fact that you are merely a product of what you’ve seen and how you process what you’ve seen.  Are you wearing the right glasses?  Are you looking through the right set of eyes?  Do you need corrective lenses?  CAN YOU SEE LEADERSHIP?

Have you seen Jesus…  It changes the way you see leadership!