Go Ahead, Lead

Leadership is an interesting topic. It comes in many different forms. Leadership can be as a coach, an authoritarian, a visionary, a servant … and the list goes on. The reactions to the various leadership styles vary greatly by who is being led and the situation that requires leadership. For instance, a basketball team requires a completely different set of leadership skills than a department of data analysts. Even basketball teams require different leadership skills depending on the players – just starting, high school, college or professional. A leader on the basketball court is probably not the right leader on the battlefield. Different skill set, different situation, but both are leaders. There are several aspects of leadership that are consistent across all the styles, situations and individuals being led. These universal leadership skills are the focus of this article.

First and foremost, people naturally seek and follow leaders. People are looking to be guided, for someone to give them the answers, to make the decisions and to show them the way. Have you ever wondered how history’s most ruthless leaders came to power? It is simple: There was a leadership void that they stepped into. Once they assumed the position, people followed. You can see this played out in everyday life with the simple question of, “Where are we going to dinner?” We are constantly looking for someone to lead us, to take responsibility. Once you understand this maxim, you can start figuring out how to be a leader.

Leaders take responsibility. To be a leader, you must take ownership. Ownership means if something goes well, you should take credit for it and give credit to those who helped you get there. But when a situation goes in the wrong direction, don’t deflect blame. Own it and start working on a solution. Blaming others is level one management; it wastes time and delays finding a suitable outcome.

Leaders have confidence. A leader’s confidence is gained through experience, study, training or observation. You have to know what you are doing. False confidence used to bully one’s way through a situation may work for a short time, but eventually your deficiencies and lack of knowledge will become evident, and the organization and its employees will suffer. Do your homework, do the analysis, and go the extra mile. You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but you should be the most knowledgeable.

Leaders know their team/followers better than they know themselves. Leaders understand motivation, limitations, aspirations and fears. Leaders navigate these emotions to create desired outcomes. Simply put, give people what they want in order to achieve goals.

Leaders build a culture for their team/followers and the situation. Compare the culture of a social media firm to NASA. Each organization operates in totally different orbits that require totally different cultures. Leaders recognize the culture that is needed to accomplish their goals and objectives.

The hardest leadership lesson I had to learn was that not everyone wants to be a leader. For most of my career I aspired to at least the next level in the bank, and most of my career desiring to be the president of a bank. Since those were my objectives, surely everyone else must think the same way. To be a good leader, I worked to push, promote, train and provide whatever experiences necessary to help that person achieve the next rung of the corporate ladder. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Many people find a position that they excel at and do not seek continuous upward movement. Their risk tolerances, acceptance of responsibility and general comfort levels make them an excellent performer at one position, but unsuccessful at another. Good leaders recognize this by putting the best and the brightest into the right positions.

And finally, leaders require compassion and appreciation. In almost every study which examines why employees leave their jobs, the number one reason is their boss. Leaders have to truly care for the overall wellbeing of their team and followers. Employees have to be appreciated. This is a very simple act that costs nothing, but is not used often enough.

In closing, it is an honor to be recognized as a leader. This speaks volumes to your skills, experience, character and knowledge. Use that position to better the lives of those you lead, those you touch and for yourself.

This Month's Guest Writer

Larry W. Myers
President & CEO
First Savings Bank, Jeffersonville