Passing the Leadership Test

Tests evaluate what we know.

But this may not be the "test" you're familiar with.

One of the best ways to evaluate your leadership impact is to step away for a moment.

Here's an example.

Early in my career, I was asked to groom a potential successor to make the transition of my leaving smoother.

I felt the best way to prepare him was to have him shadow me.

From the mundane tasks of attending meetings to challenging ones such as handling conflict, it was the most realistic hands-on training I could imagine.

Toward the end of my tenure, I had to test how ready he truly was.

So I called in sick last minute to an event I was supposed to run.

When I called him, he sounded concerned, but I assured him he could do it.

I was confident he was prepared, but now he had to believe it.

Post-event we connected and I let him evaluate his performance.

He shared it was a rocky start, but overall the event went well.

The sentiments were also shared by the rest of the staff and attendees I touched base with after.

This type of leadership is coaching.

Similar to a sporting event, the coach can only give direction, but the team members actually play the game.

Remember back in school when your teacher would give you a pop quiz?

It wasn't fun, but it tested what you knew at the moment.

So often leadership is referred to as a skill set.

But it's much more dynamic than that.

There's an art form of leadership that is hard to describe.

It's sort of like dancing with a partner, but taking turns to be the leader.

You can establish a flow and rhythm, but often the "music" stops and you have to wing it.

It's learning how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Leadership is more of a character test than anything else.

If success was measured solely on goal accomplishment no one would be eligible.

Instead, it's a growth process that includes learning from your mistakes (and trying not to repeat them).

Unfortunately, my apprentice didn't get hired for my role after I left, but that's not the point.

If I could do it all over again, regardless of the outcome, I'd do it the same.

You see it's not about winning all the time, but the investment in people.

Great leaders understand managing people is one of the most challenging responsibilities you'll have.

But like any great teacher, you live to see your students succeed.

Giving tests reveal the true comprehension of an area of knowledge.

But the "grade" isn't determined by pass or fail.

Leadership is about giving people the tools to achieve their goals.

And cheering them on in spite of the outcome.

So test to evaluate, not judge.

It's what great leaders do.

Never forget to stop learning or teaching.