If you have the willingness and capacity to lift the load of your leaders when they need it, you will have influence with them – John Maxwell
Regardless of where you are in your organizational structure you have the potential to be a person of great influence as you seek to lift the load of your leader.
Let’s face it – at the end of the day you are either lifting the load of your leader or you are adding to it. If you want to position yourself as a load-lifter then you will possess these three characteristics (among others) that will cause you to stand out.
Load lifters have the right attitude
Load-lifters are a cut above. They possess an excellent attitude. They are unique in the sense that they had rather exert their energies on making things right rather than complain about what’s wrong.
Those that add to the load of the leader do just that – complain about what’s not fair, do mediocre work, have a bad attitude, and wonder why they never get ahead.
Load-lifters are not worried so much about titles or positions, but rather they focus on doing their best, encouraging their leader, and having an attitude of excellence.
Load lifters understand the big picture
This is an opposite take from those persons who add to the load of the leader. Those people are concerned primarily about one person – the one they see in the mirror. They are concerned about the pecking order, getting ahead, and what’s in it for them.
The load lifter sees the big picture. They realize and understand that when they help their leader succeed – they succeed. When they help the leader look good they look good. They are focused more on the big picture that causes everyone to move upward not just themselves. In understanding the big picture they realize it’s a team effort and they make great team players.
Load lifters create momentum
Imagine for a moment how different things would be in your organization if more people took on the attitude if being a load lifter. What would be different if all of your colleagues checked their egos (and titles) at the door each morning and totally committed themselves to the idea of being a load lifter?
Load lifters create a momentum that once embraced, can take your organization to a new level of productivity and synergy. Is your organization stuck and trying to figure out how to get to that next level? Are you in need of some type of infusion of energy to get things moving? The answer is found in load lifters who can create the energy and momentum you need to go forward.
Load lifters are not necessarily the most talented, gifted, or smartest people – they are just bright enough to know that if they lift the load for their leader they can catch the wave and go to new heights with them.
Are you a load lifter?
© 2014 Doug Dickerson