Teachable moments #34 - Great Leaders Serve Their Teams

"BAD LEADERS BELIEVE THEIR TEAM WORKS FOR THEM. GREAT LEADERS BELIEVE THEY WORK FOR THEIR TEAM."

Leadership is not about power, control, or personal glory. True leadership is about serving others, fostering growth, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Bad Leaders:

• See themselves as superior. They believe their position gives them the right to dictate, demand, and micromanage. They typically like to be called "Boss".

• Focus on personal gain. Their primary concern is their own advancement, recognition, and success, often at the expense of their team.

• Create fear and resentment. Their leadership style discourages open communication, breeds fear and distrust, ultimately stifling creativity.

• Lack empathy and understanding. They are disconnected from the needs and concerns of their team members. Often avoiding to gather at a personal level, sometimes using excuses like "I don't want to create stress by joining the lunch".

• Take credit for others' work. They hoard praise and recognition or even demand it, failing to acknowledge the contributions of their team.

Great Leaders:

• Focus on empowering their team. They create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard; ensuring that is real and not a illusion by constantly connecting.

• Prioritize team success. Their primary goal is to help their team achieve its full potential, even if it means stepping back and letting others shine. They know that if they lift others up, they never need to worry about not being seen.

• Build trust and foster collaboration. They encourage open communication, active listening, and mutual respect. They do not spread toxic gossip and allow themselves to be vulnerable before their team.

• Lead by example. They demonstrate the values and behaviors they expect from their team, and consistently.

• Celebrate team achievements. They recognize and reward the contributions of each team member, even small ones, for sheer hard effort.

The Bottom Line:

Great leaders understand that their role is to serve their team, not the other way around. They are mentors, coaches, and supporters who empower others to succeed. They create a positive and inspiring work environment where everyone feels valued and motivated.