Recently, there has been a wave of employees who are leaving their jobs in spite of excellent compensation programs. Why? Well, quite a few are looking for flexibility in hours and work location. But it’s more than that. The attitude of the managers to whom they report leaves much to be desired. Rather than leading and motivating their teams, many managers are ruling with an iron fist using their position of power to get things done. Add to that their unwillingness to share knowledge, skills and experience and you have a very hostile environment. This kind of situation is prime for high employee turnover. Sadly, they never learned that the best leader is a follower first.
For most of us, learning to be an effective leader, is a process. While leadership often involves guiding and directing others, there are instances where leaders also need to be effective followers.
Here are some of the benefits of being a leader who is also a follower:
- Increased trust: When leaders are willing to listen to others and learn from them, they build trust with their team members. This trust is essential for a team to be successful, as it allows team members to feel confident that their leader has their best interests at heart.
- Improved morale: When leaders are willing to admit when they are wrong and they are always looking for ways to improve, they improve morale on their team. A leader who is humble and willing to grow makes others feel like they can do the same.
- Increased productivity: When leaders are willing to share the credit for their successes with their team members, they increase productivity. This is because team members are more likely to be motivated to work hard when they feel valued and appreciated. It also shows your team members that you value their contributions and that you are a team player.
- Improved decision-making: Good leaders listen to others and learn from them. As a result, they improve the quality of decision-making on their team. This is because team members are more likely to trust the leadership decisions when their leader is making decisions based on sound reasoning and evidence.
Here are some specific examples of how the best leader is a follower:
- Be open to new ideas: When your team members have new ideas or suggestions, take the time to listen to them. Even if you don’t agree with their ideas, it’s important to hear them out. By following the needs of the team, you can better serve and empower them. This leads to stronger performance and outcomes. Effective leaders recognize that they don’t have all the answers and can benefit from the expertise and perspectives of others.
- Learn from your team members: Don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. Ask your team members for help and advice. They may have valuable insights that you can use to improve your leadership. Actively seek input, involve team members in decision-making processes, and encourage collaboration. By following the expertise and insights of their team, leaders can harness collective intelligence and make better-informed decisions.
- Servant Leader: Leadership is not always about formal authority. Sometimes, the best leaders are those who can inspire and influence others, regardless of their position or title. These leaders recognize the strengths and expertise of others, learn from them, and leverage their skills to achieve collective goals. They help their team members achieve their own career goals. Good leaders build strong relationships, foster collaboration, and drive positive change.
- Continuous Learning: Effective leaders never stop learning. They seek knowledge and insights from various sources, including industry experts, mentors, and other team members. By embracing a mindset of continuous learning, leaders can expand their knowledge base, develop new skills, and adapt to the evolving needs of their organization.
- Admit when you are wrong: Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to admit when you are wrong and learn from your mistakes.
The best leader is a follower in the sense that they are willing to listen to others and learn from them. They are not afraid to admit when they are wrong and they are always looking for ways to improve. They are also willing to share the credit for their successes with their team members. Effective leaders strike a balance between leading and following, adapting their approach based on the situation and the needs of their team and organization.
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