Leadership is an action, not a position - practice the 101% principle

Practice the 101% principle - "Find the 1% that you agree on and give it 100% of your effort" - John C Maxwell

Last weekend, I started a new habit. I left home, with book in hand, and went to a nearby restaurant that has a garden set up. I picked out a table where I was slightly away from noise or attention and took my seat. I ordered a pot of ginger tea and proceeded to dive into the book - a great book on #simplicity by Ken Segall. My introvert self was elated! I was recharging like my #Samsung phone connected to a fast charger.

"Come! Let's seat here with Sabwa." That brought an end to my book reading. It was the start of a conversation that lasted into the evening. Any other time it would have been a major interruption and bother to my recharge. Yet I closed my book and engaged in another passion I have - #peopledevelopment.

I was struck by the introduction. He introduced me to his friend as "this is my manager yet not his manager". This has become a common introduction whenever I meet several of the team members from the team I grew with.

Close to 5 years since I handed over that team to new #leadership, our time together still has impact. I enjoy every discussion I get to have with those I meet and to see how they have grown. This particular gentleman (and his friend) took over my evening to remind me of the 101% principle.

Here are 3 thoughts and 3 pictures (in the headline above), that come to mind when I think of 3 specific team members who have, in unrelated events, introduced me to people as their manager or team leader 5 years after my tenure with them. One of them, even introduced me as her manager - to her manager :- )

#1: Pick 1 area the person can fill that will get to the goal and put 100% effort

To say that he was a challenge to work with at first, is an understatement! I didnt get many opportunities to fire someone - he was high on that list at a point. As a leader, I looked across the vision I had for the team and organization and saw an aspect of his way of life that was useful to the team. He had a passion for things done a certain predictable way - processes & systems. He could see things in ways few others could. Once I got his attention on what I was aiming to achieve. I was able to place his ability to great impact. We could agree on the fact that tasks in a process need to flow with the right amount of details - that was it. 5 years later, he still does details and is a great advocate for me in many places. It was 1 gift he had to use for the team to reach the goal. We did after a leader put 100% effort to bring it out.

#2: Pick 1 gift the person shows that the team needs and put 100% effort

I got a troop of your energetic recruits at a point in the journey. A generation of people who couldnt stay still - do I need to say more. Out of the group, there were two who stood out for the same thing but with different personalities - both took initiative and leadership to solve problems. As a leader, there is nothing more appealing than a problem solver. I invested specific times to pass by where they were working to ask coaching questions like " have you considered...?" "if this is true, then why is it that...?" "worst case scenarios..." 5 years later they lead the teams through very challenging situations and they are thriving. It was 1 gift the team needed and was able to grow it as a leader put 100% effort to bring it out.

#3: Pick 1 step up that the person needs to take and put 100% effort

The team had several people whose potential was misplaced. Actually, it was clear they were in the wrong job. This had become a place to collect a salary, pay bills and move on. As a leader, I didnt see her as a piece on the chess board, rather as potential to impact a wider net of society. Like me, this pond had become too limited/ small. I invested coaching sessions to address fears around the need to leave their present position and reach out to take up new opportunities standing before them. 5 years later she leads in a very different capacity and different area of business and is thriving. It was 1 step up she needed to take and took as a leader put 100% effort to uplift her mindset.

There is no easy way to explain how this principle is counter-intuitive. The 1% that we dont agree with stands out plus shouts at us! This is how we think or act as leaders. Even writing about it turns a few proverbial screws or bolts in the mind. If your mind is also turning, leave a comment or question below.

As a leader, the tendency is to push forward, keep track of progress and where possible find an alternate route to evade anything that looks or feels like a block to the vision. As much as that is the case, it is worth knowing that leadership deals in serving people. There is a higher road we can take - the 101% principle. If you agree, let me know on the comments below.

I look back at these 3 example of people who now represent an impact that changed a business trajectory. The stories behind the scenes of business success. Yet at the heart of the story as people success.

Try it, and let me know how it goes. Share this with others and let us see its impact across businesses.

Move yourself from manager to leader.

Where possible, Practice the 101% principle - "Find the 1% that you agree on and give it 100% of your effort"