leadership
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Follow the Leader
I
n elementary school, teachers usually designate a “leader” whom classmates follow throughout the day whenever they leave the classroom to go to recess, the cafeteria, and other daily activities. As a child, you follow the leader because teachers tell you to do so. But in today’s workplace, the idea that staff members will follow the leader simply because someone tells them to is not the reality. True leaders do not always come with an official title. But true leaders still gain and keep followers, and together, they propel the goals and objectives of a team or organization, whether those goals are to drive revenue, grow membership, increase profits, or something else. True leaders also earn buy-in from all involved – staff members and stakeholders – by showing vulnerability, making an investment in resources and people, and using personal influence for good.
Vulnerability strengthens your ability to relate As a leader, you have to understand that being vulnerable is not a
Story by: John Bacon
Be the Leader Everyone Wants to Follow
weakness. This characteristic makes you relatable and approachable. People want to build relationships with other people. However, some leaders by title alienate themselves by not connecting with others. How do you become vulnerable without crossing personal or professional lines?
Listen.
True leaders take the time to listen to those around them because they know that listening puts them in a position to understand where a person is coming from and to give
sound advice. You become vulnerable when you empathize with someone else and that, in turn, strengthens your ability to relate to that person. Listening shows others that even if you have not experienced what they are going through, you will never dismiss their feelings or concerns. Listening demonstrates that as a leader, you are willing to be present to help with whatever people are going through with the end goal of navigating them back to the path to grow your team and accomplish your
