Don't wait for permission to lead
Libby Fordham
Strategy & Communications : Future & Innovation Planning, Culture, Facilitation, Writer: Strategy, Governance, Reporting, Annual Reports, Publications
Companies across the world are still trying to find the magic formula around managing change, enhancing workplace culture and motivating staff. Throw into the mix the ongoing hints, tips and development courses available to us online and in real-life to help us obtain the prize of being able to call ourselves leadership material.
The quiet sleeper in all of this is a mentality and often a culture which says, ‘wait your turn’. There are preconceptions that leadership is something that can only come to life when you’re handed the mantel of being a manager or have risen up the ranks to be considered a fully trained-up corporate hostage.
Leadership is not about waiting.
Leadership is about knowing the ebb and flow of the people and the circumstance. Intrinsically embedded into this are the important facets of empathy, emotional intelligence and respect. Leadership is understanding the breadth not only your own capacity but of those around you. It's about timing, recognition and possibility, with everyone onboard.
Why isn’t more of the commentary on leadership encouraging all of us to lead if we want to? Our Western system of work shows us there are plenty of followers who will pace with us. There are also plenty of other leaders who will see your leadership as a contribution to a collaboration. It brings with it greater motivation, support of others and new thinking. That is of course if you're of the new school of thinking.
Leadership is not about control despite what you may be witnessing in your own working environment. It’s not about oppression. It’s about positive action. It’s about moving onward, getting through, doing better, going on the journey. Once you have a model where leadership is construed as ‘one over all the others’ then you have a problem already. Take your umbrella and go home.
Some may argue the ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’ but the new economy of work brings with it many nuances where collaboration enables people to bring their best talents to the table. Actually, it demands that these specialists manage, motivate and develop themselves in order to get a seat there in the first place.
If you’re reading about leadership then you’re clearly interested in offering your participation. Don’t wait for someone to tell you it’s ok to start. Put your hand up and contribute. If you’re waiting, then you’re simply following. Step into the fold.