Leading Without Guidance: Why Not? <sigh>

The cartoon's punch line reads:

“At this point in your career,

your only possible promotion is to management,

where you will stop doing the work you love

and use a skill set you don’t have

and we don’t teach.”

It would be funny, if it wasn't true

As a leader who has had employees say they don't want to go into leadership but they still want to be recognized or promoted in some way, why does it have to be like this? ..."your only possible promotion is to management".

As a coach, the part that bugs me the most is the very last line: ..."and we don't teach."

There has to be another way...

In fact, there are other ways. But you first have to acknowledge there is an issue and then be willing to do something about it.

A sad, but true story...

After I had taken a manager position with a new company, I learned that one of my employees had been asking - very persistently I might add - for a raise and a "senior" title. That position didn't exist, so they offered him the manager role of the team instead.

Normally this wouldn't be an issue EXCEPT that he didn't have any interest in - nor desire in - becoming a boss, and had no leadership experience - nor had he been given any way to develop skills leaning towards management.

WORSE yet, there was no one in place to mentor him to becoming even a mediocre leader.

This team had already floundered under a manager who didn't have any leadership skills and had finally given up and left the company.

No one had helped her to learn the necessary skills and NOW they were willing to make the same mistake... a mistake that was hurting this team's morale, productivity, and engagement.

It's no wonder that when I joined I was given a list of people who likely needed to be "let go" and told my team was the cause of many issues that needed to be addressed at the company.

FAST FORWARD less than 1 year and this team was barely recognizable... and I didn't fire anyone. No longer could this team be held responsible for issues that, in reality, stemmed from finger pointing and blame or shame games that were the normal on many teams with whom we interacted.

What this team had needed all along... was a LEADER. They needed support, to be valued, to be empowered. So many other teams need this, too.

The reality isn't pretty

Leadership isn't easy. If it were, we wouldn't have the issues - or the memes - that run rampant in Corporate America.

It takes more than FINDING someone who wants to be promoted.

It takes more than THINKING someone will pick up the needed skills.

It takes more than HOPING it will be different this time.

It takes more than WONDERING why it's not working.

A start in the right direction...

Another cookie-cutter training or leadership video is at least a start. Knowing what to look for and choosing the right person to lead, ongoing training and support for new leaders, and a good mentor will go a long way.

To get the best results, you will find the right resources to guide you and give you the best results - time and again. Whether that is an internal HR resource with a track record for success with new leaders OR an external consultant who trains and coaches to attain this leadership success for you.

When you are ready to stop guessing, stop making the same mistakes, and ready to see a change that leads to improved productivity and engagement, I'm here for you and your leadership team.

?? Ready to discuss options? DM me "I'm Ready!" ??

FREEBIE! This one's about communication...

An easy - and fun - team building discussion is discovering your own communication style, and realizing that not everyone else is the same style. (It's why the golden rule doesn't work!)

Download this free quiz from Pierre Casse. Give it to your team and have fun guessing and uncovering each other's unique communication style.

My teams have loved this so much, they've taken it home and made their families take it, too!

?? DM me and let me know how your team discussion on Communication Styles went! ??

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Wishing You Success,

Stephanie Weiss

Your Empowered Leadership Coach