Leading Strangers

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When we think of leaders, it’s easy to sell them as the best in their industry. The best performers however, are often not the best leaders. 

I was listening to a podcast this week while doing my farm chores and a concept which has made sense to me for many years was discussed.  I still had an “a-ha moment.” Most people don’t get it. 

It is not the knowledge of a task which makes someone a good leader.  Good leadership skills make someone a good leader.  Seems obvious, doesn’t it?  How often do we see star performers promoted only to de-motivate a team by showing them up.  In the podcast, Jack Spirko said “Leadership comes from people understanding the value of everybody else around them.” 

I run two departments currently; IT (Information Technology) and L&D (Learning & Development).  In every case, each of my employees is better at their role than I am.  I say it all the time (my team is probably sick of hearing it)…”Individually, none of the people on my team (myself included) are the best at what they do, but together, they are the best team in the industry!”  My job is to know their strengths and weaknesses, and leverage that knowledge to help guide them to accomplish as much or more than they thought they were capable of doing.  You have to get to know your team and give them room to grow, but also be willing to pull back and redirect when they get into an area they are not suited for. 

You can’t lead a stranger for long, at least not effectively.