10 WAYS TO LEAD OUTSIDE AUTHORITY
True leadership is a democratic process. Your only authority as a leader comes from those who choose to follow you. Think about that old saying, ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.’
Managers and Directors are appointed by those other than the people they are expected to lead. They are encouraged to use rules, laws, fear and oppression to obtain the results they are tasked with achieving.
Ineffective managers are often challenged by effective leaders. (Think British Coal and Arthur Scargill) Managers who are able to lead are much harder to challenge. In fact they do not need to be challenged because there is no need. They are taking people where they want to be led.
Leaders emerge spontaneously in response to need or opportunity. If you want to lead outside authority, here are ten tips to help you:
1. Listen – Hear what people are saying and understand why they are saying them. What do they fear? What do they want? What do they need?
2. Look – See what’s just out of sight but heading your way. Watch trends, explore the future and know what that means today.
3. Find gaps – What exists now is not all that could exist. There are always new ways to do things. Accept that most fear new things.
4. Disconnect activity from income – In a global community of 6bn people you cannot lead and expect instant, personal gratification. The rewards will always come, but never from where you expect them. You can’t afford not to lead the change you want to see.
5. Nurture serendipity – Give freely to all who place their trust in you, even if they seem to be wasting your time.
6. Feel the fear – OK, it’s a cliché, but true all the same. If you’re not scared some of the time, you’re not being bold enough.
7. Expose your vulnerabilities – Be human and let those you’re choosing to lead spot and compensate for your shortcomings.
8. Think big; start small – You need a clear, unclouded view of the big picture. You also need to start with the detail and start from the bottom. (To build a house, you first dig a hole in the ground.)
9. Don’t hold back – Don’t wait for others to make the suggestions or show the initiative. Take the first step alone then reach back and bring others to where you are. Repeat frequently. Don’t leave people behind.
10. Never assume anything – You are unique and so see things in a unique way. Never assume that others see what you see. Paint pictures that bring things to life.
And it goes without saying, that if you’re not passionate about what you want to do, no one will follow you . . . . . . so don’t go!