Trading Power for Greatness: A Conversation on Transformational Leadership

Leadership is not about being the strongest or most powerful person in the room. Instead, it's about discovering the greatness in others and empowering them to reach their full potential.?

In a recent conversation with Kenzie Francis , our DCX Associate Director, we explored how trading power for greatness can transform your leadership style and empower your team members to reach their full potential. We reflected on my personal journey of discovering the benefits of this leadership approach, common objections and pushbacks, and how to overcome personal challenges in implementing it.?

Kenzie: Alright, let's talk about trading power for greatness. What would you say led you to the conclusion that that is the way to lead? Like, how did you even come up with the whole idea of trading your power for greatness?

Chris: For me, the idea that somebody in my team and my company has something to offer was revolutionary. I thought it was my job to lead with strength and confidence, to take all the hits, positive and negative, and to get us where we need to go. But this approach caused a lot of isolation, and emotional loneliness for myself and my team members. I realized that I was the reason people weren't able to fully show up as their best selves at work. I tried to show up in a way that had no weaknesses, no gaps, so to speak, and I didn't let anyone else really show up. So I began to focus on discovering what my team members brought to the table and trading my power, authority, and position for their greatness.

Kenzie: What do you mean by trading power for greatness?

Chris: Trading power for greatness means establishing trust and reducing anxiety and fear to enable team members to show their true selves. I actively seek out the skills in my team members that I may not possess or recognize as valuable. By embracing these skills in the workplace, my team members become more confident in themselves and their abilities.

Kenzie: Can you think of an example of one person over the last eight years that you feel like you did this, and they were able to totally show up, and their greatness was seen, like, tenfold compared to before?

Chris: Kyle Watson is a great example of somebody who showed up in my office for an interview feeling beat down based on previous work experience and how he viewed himself. What I immediately saw was that there's a lot that Kyle has to offer. Things like kindness, compassion, and listening skills. It was my job to get him to recognize that these skills are his greatness and are useful at work. Over the years, I could see him start to get more and more confidence in himself and recognize the value of his soft skills.

Kenzie: What would you say are some of the common objections you get from people when you tell them that this is a great way to lead?

Chris: The biggest pushback I get is that this concept subverts the organizational structure and leads to chaos. But unleashing people's greatness and bringing together different viewpoints leads to the best ideas and a more efficient organization. It wasn't just as superficial as asking eight people, "What should we do?" It was seeking them out specifically, based on their soft skills and viewpoints, that helped create the best ideas.

Kenzie: What do you feel has been the hardest part for you personally?

Chris: My internal wiring is to take care of people, so I've had to overcome my need to be responsible for people and instead be responsible to people. It can be challenging to let go of control and trust in the abilities of others, but I have found it to be incredibly rewarding.?

Leadership is not about being the strongest or most powerful person in the room. Instead, it's about discovering the greatness in others and empowering them to reach their full potential. By trading power for greatness, we can create a more authentic and efficient work environment and foster a sense of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect in our teams.

Are you ready to transform your leadership style?

At DCX, we wholeheartedly believe in the power of personal and professional development. Join us for a live and in-person conference in Cedar Park October 11th and 12th, where you'll have the opportunity to DEVELOP yourself and your teams, CONNECT with your community, and EXPERIENCE true transformation.

Join us as we embrace vulnerability and embark on a deeply personal journey of growth. It's time to admit our flaws, passionately commit to change, and foster unity with others.

Learn more about the conference here.