MotivationalLeadership – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

I don’t know any other way to lead but by example. – Don Shula

When General George C. Marshall took command of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga., he found the post in a generally run-down condition. Rather than issue orders for specific improvements, he simply got out his own paintbrushes, lawn equipment, etc., and went to work on his personal quarters.

The other officers and men, first on his block, and then throughout the post, did the same thing, and Ft. Benning was brightened up.

Leadership by example is a timeless principle. Actions like this speak volumes and words are not necessary.

While our current circumstances we find ourselves in today obviously do not mirror those found in the story, we need leadership by example as we’ve never needed it before.

To be sure, leading in a time of a worldwide pandemic is not something any of us have experience in. It’s all-new territory.

But the foundational principles of leadership are applicable to any situation and is why it’s incumbent upon leaders the world over to step up and be the leader others are looking for.

What exactly does leadership in a global pandemic look like? When the people you lead look to you, what hope and assurances are you offering to them?

Recently, I was reading back through Leadershift by John Maxwell. In the book he makes this noteworthy observation: “What is happening around you determines whether you hold fast or move forward.” This is especially true today.

Whether or not you move forward depends on how you act today. It’s why your leadership is so important to you and the people you lead.

I believe in times like this that there are a few foundational leadership principles that you need to be standing on. Here are just a few worth noting.

Lead with focus and perspective

In uncertain times, we need leaders with a steady hand and proper perspective. We don’t need endless knee-jerk reactions to everything we see and hear. This only breeds more fear and stress. In uncertain times we need leaders who know how to weather the storm which allows others to gain much-needed confidence. Calm focus and perspective is a sign of stable leadership. Be an example of it.

Lead with the right attitude

Attitudes are contagious and the attitude of the leader tends to be the attitude throughout the organization. If you want to keep morale strong and hope alive, be a leader with a strong attitude. Click To TweetThe impact of your strong attitude will prepare you for the long haul. No one knows how long this pandemic will last but a strong attitude is essential to beat it. Be the leader who brings hope to your people. Begin with the right attitude.

Lead with empathy and compassion

Before this pandemic is over, most of us will be touched directly or indirectly by COVID-19. You will know people who have it – be it a family member, friend, colleague, and unfortunately, maybe even someone reading this. Your empathy and compassion as a leader are needed now more than ever. As a leader others are looking to, now is the time to step up and care for those in your care. Your leadership will be defined by the empathy you show and the compassion you mobilize. Click To TweetLet’s be all about bringing hope and healing to those around us.

Lead with the end in mind

When this pandemic is over, many people will be walking back into their places of business and familiar surroundings. But it will not be the same. Just as many have had to learn how to adjust to new ways of doing things while working remotely, new adjustments will be made upon the return. A wise leader doesn’t just think about the here and now, but also knows how to think long for the good of his people. Click To Tweet

Final Thoughts

In these uncertain times, people need the assurance of proven leadership. The people in your sphere of influence need you. Be the leader they can look to who is steady under pressure. Be an influencer of hope. Above all else, keep the faith. We will get through this together.

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The greater the impact you want to make, the greater your influence needs to be. – John Maxwell

One day a farmer grabbed his shotgun to shoot at a flock of pesky crows. Unfortunately, he didn’t see his sociable parrot that had joined the crows. After firing a few shots, he walked over to the fallen birds and was surprised to find his parrot badly ruffled with a broken wing. When the farmer’s children saw the injured bird, they asked, “Dad, what happened?” The farmer simply replied, “Bad company.”

That story is a reminder of what can happen when you don’t leverage your influence as a leader in the right way. You can get caught up in the wrong crowd and consequently, it can be hard to distinguish you from the crows.

It’s no secret that employee morale and productivity are interconnected. As goes one, so goes the other. As one who is invested in both, how you leverage your influence as a leader is critical. If you are not taking the lead in this area then someone else is. How do you feel about that?

I’d like to share a few insights as it relates to leveraging your influence. As you become intentional about this it can make a world of difference to your organization. Here are five ways you can do it.

Leverage your influence through relationships

You sway the crowd one person at a time. All smart leaders know that the surest way to gain influence in the lives of your people is to build relationships with them. When your people know you and where you are taking them they will be more inclined to go on that journey with you. But not until then. Click To Tweet

Leverage your influence with trust

Out of relationships comes trust. Your people will not entrust you with their hopes and dreams for a better future until they can trust you as a leader to get them there. Your influence begins with relationships and trust. Until these two are established your influence is nominal at best.

Leverage your influence by your actions

Your people may like you as a person and they may trust you with their children, but at the end of the day, your actions speak louder than your words. Your influence as a leader is measured by how you model it. If you are not living what you communicate then your influence will be diminished. Influence is lived, not spoken. Click To Tweet

Leverage your influence by asking for theirs

One of the ways you can build your influence with your teams is by asking for theirs. By this I mean, people buy into what they help create. The success of your organization should not be limited to just the reach of your influence. It should be attached to the influence of everyone in it. It’s not about what you can build by yourself, but what everyone can build together. If you want to leverage your influence as a leader do it by empowering everyone with theirs.

Leverage your influence by growing more leaders

It’s been said that leaders don’t create more followers, they create more leaders. Multiplication is the math of leadership. Think of how different your influence would be if there were five, ten, fifteen or twenty more leaders joining forces with you in exercising their influence within your organization? What do you think that would do for morale? How much more could you accomplish? What do you think that would do for your bottom line?

Leveraging your influence as a leader is about recognizing that you have to build relationships, earn the trust of your people, lead by example, and realize that the power of your influence is found as you empower others.

Are you ready to leverage your influence?

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Doug Dickerson on Leadership

Tag: MotivationalLeadership

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