THE BENCH: APOLOGIES

Does it sound like an odd topic for the BENCH and Leadership? Well, please read further and it will all come together. Any Leader as in any portion of life has that fine line of self-confidence while realizing we are human. The TEAM relies on the Leader to push them, give clear direction, and help navigate the unknown waters as they push forward. Leaders are often the Vision, the risk takers, and the bigger, yes, bigger Ego members on the team.

So this means they are right in front, this means they are often on the firing line. I cannot tell you how many times I have said, yes, we need to push forward, I know there are risks, but I accept the role I have is such and I also accept this means they can fire me if we make a mistake. Now, here is where the BENCH plays a role. The BENCH cannot push me to do anything and will always be there even if I fail to work out, achieve a new level of weight, or try a new exercise. The BENCH will always be there so I am not earning the Bench's respect.

People and Teams are very different. They are watching and a key to leadership is both EARNING respect and EARNING TRUST. Neither do I need to do with the BENCH.

What does this all mean? When you as a leader push forward, and you take risks the team with you is doing the same so they have to be like the BENCH, they are with you. Now here are the 2 keys to really being a great leader.

1. When you achieve success, you step back, push your team forward and place the spotlight on them NOT YOU. It was the TEAM that achieved the success, they will respect you for this and they will follow you over and over again.
2. If things go badly or mistakes happen and there is a negative outcome or you as the lead made a mistake or took a bad turn or even took a bad day out on the team, APOLOGIZE, they are not at fault they followed you and if you made an error show them the respect to say you were wrong, apologize and move forward, in the end, they will support you, trust you, respect you for being human and not fear trying over and over with you.

TRUST, RESPECT, KUDOS, and Apologies all are part of great leadership skill sets.