"Are You the Pencil, the Eraser, or the Highlighter?"

Joseph Clementi Joe H Clementi

Have you ever wondered what kind of leader you are? Are you the pencil that charts the course, the eraser that refines it, or the highlighter that celebrates and reinforces success?

Bad Boss

I was a bad boss. There, I said it. It is no less troublesome saying it aloud than living it.

Sure, I thought I was doing the right thing. After all, my boss was an autocratic leader who followed the blueprint of the leaders of that decade.

Jack Welch was infamous for the turnaround at GE, and his methods of “stack ranking” shaped the leadership landscape. This competitive approach to leadership, where the bottom third of employees were regularly replaced, was prevalent throughout the country. Inexperienced managers who aspired to be leaders embraced this cutthroat culture.

This command-and-control form of leadership was funneled down to new managers. Many, including myself, embraced the methodology as the way forward.

I was a bandwagon leader for far too many years. It was not a gradual realization but rather an epiphany—or rather, a behavioral empirical model for change.

The competencies that leaders have used to get their teams this far are not the same skills required to lead teams of tomorrow. New capabilities will be essential for the future of work. This evolving leadership landscape is critical to helping teams transition through the changed business climate.

The Evolving Leadership Landscape

Times have changed, and so must our approach to leadership. The traditional command-and-control style is no longer effective. Instead, we need to foster a more inclusive and adaptive form of leadership that empowers individuals and embraces change. This new leadership model requires a shift in mindset and the development of new skills.

As leaders, we must focus on building a culture that supports continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration. This means creating an environment where people feel safe to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. It also means recognizing and valuing the unique talents and contributions of each team member.

The Pencil, the Eraser, and the Highlighter

Let’s use a visual narrative to understand this evolving leadership paradigm: the pencil, the eraser, and the highlighter.

The Pencil:

A pencil creates the course. We are all like pencils, rarely getting things right on the first attempt. We need others to help sharpen our pencils, so we remain focused on our talents. When properly sharpened, a pencil serves as the tool that empowers people to use their inner genius to put their stamp on the canvas. Creativity is synthesizing knowledge, experience, and the wisdom we gain as we grow through life. Leaders have the responsibility to empower that creative genius.

The Eraser:

An eraser provides an opportunity to revise the path. It can redirect a disenchanted person on the wrong course or bring consciousness to a learning opportunity. The eraser allows for correction and improvement, acknowledging that mistakes are part of the learning process. Effective leaders use the eraser to help their teams grow and adapt, transforming setbacks into valuable lessons.

The Highlighter:

Highlighters, when used with precision, reinforce successes through positive affirmations. They encourage individuals to initiate ideas, take risks, and promote self-discovery. Using the highlighter emphasizes the areas of development, fostering a culture of recognition and continuous improvement. The well-intended highlighter reinforces successes and inspires individuals to strive for their inherent potential.

Practical Applications for Evolving Leadership

To implement this new leadership model, consider these practical applications:

1. Create a cadence of communication: Regularly scheduled events provide opportunities for constructive feedback and alignment with the mission.

2.? Write down the plan with clarity and specificity: Clearly identify values and behaviors that align with the company’s core principles.

3.? Support a winning culture of collaboration, responsibility, and accountability:? Focus on removing obstacles so individuals can achieve their greatest potential.

4.? Develop an educational strategy that reinforces desired behaviors and activities: Ensure there is sufficient frequency, intensity, and duration for effective learning.

5.? Validate contributions, encourage ideation, and empower decision-making: Develop a system that includes explicit priorities for all team members.

Conclusion

Leadership is about more than managing people; it is about inspiring and empowering them to reach their full potential. By adopting the roles of the pencil, the eraser, and the highlighter, leaders can create a dynamic and supportive environment that fosters growth, innovation, and success.

?Are you the pencil, the eraser, or the highlighter? As a leader, are you focused on the roots and not just the fruits of labor? Success is tethered to our understanding of how to best deploy our people, empowering them to innovate, inspire, dream, and aspire to greatness.

Curious Leader is dedicated to exploring and fostering leadership that evolves with the changing times. Join us as we delve into the skills and mindsets necessary for the leaders of tomorrow.

"The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already." - John Buchan

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Embrace the grind. Enjoy the journey. Keep leading.

? 2024 Joseph Clementi. All rights reserved.