Leadership in Smaller Steps (Plus Lollypops)
Posted on August 29, 2016 by Cheryl Warner, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.
Grow your leadership skills in small and often impactful actions with others. Influence someone's world today for the better; next help the world.
How far have you progressed towards your leadership dreams and goals? Use the handy scale below to capture your headway:
1 = What leadership dreams and goals? I can barely make it to Friday.
2 = Oh I tried leading, let me describe that train wreck for you.
3 = I’ve lead a small team with some success; can’t break that threshold though.
4 = Fairly comfortable in my leadership skills: some successes, some failures.
5 = I lead with ease in all situation; never any challenges (said no one ever).
Recently I was reminded by Drew Dudley’s humorous TED talk ‘Everyday Leadership’ that your most impactful leadership might happen in forgotten moments. Drew relates an exchange, of which he has no memory, where he reached out to help others navigate the initial stress of college life. Drew handed out lollypops, causing the recipients to step away from their fear-based decision to leave college, embrace the adventure, and eventually say yes to the dress. [Note to self: lollypops are powerful, must buy some, and hand them out.] Seriously, Drew recommends we redefine leadership on a smaller scale.
The first step might be connecting with others in small but unique or humorous and always positive ways. What would that look like for you?
Doesn’t Take Much Effort to Acknowledge Others
If you selected 1 or 2 or 3 above, please keep trying to build your leadership muscles. You may not yet be in touch with the positive impact your small acts of leadership can have on the world. To see your effect on those around you, try this.
Pick people you see frequently, but with whom you rarely exchange pleasantries; in fact, they may mostly experience your frustration. There are many to chose from: bartenders, cashiers, parking attendants, store clerks, bus driver, customer support.
Be curious about them. Resolve to make their day a little brighter. Smile, make eye contact, say hello, and ask them how their day is going. On the phone, while they are looking up your account, ask where they are geographically. Now LISTEN so they know you are truly waiting for a response. Notice any changes in their demeanor. Did they go from sullen eyes down avoidance or clipped speech to smiling cautiously or more enthusiastic service? Stay curious and watch how quickly that person responds to authentic, positive mutual interaction.
Same Concept, Different Venue
At work, building and maintaining mutually satisfying relationships while leading a team is more complex than the exercise above, but it starts from the same place of curiosity about each individual on the team. Practice engaging positively and listening without agenda and see how quickly trust and compassion are built. Later, when the project hits some bumps, you and your team will have a firmer base from which to meet the challenges.
