Stop Following the Leader: To Be a best, You Must Lead the Leader

Have you ever felt stuck in your career, waiting for your boss to take the initiative and guide you? Well, it’s time to flip the script and shake things up. Instead of waiting for your leader to lead you, why not take charge and lead the leader? Sounds intriguing, right? I want to explore the concept of Growth Leadership and how it can benefit not only you but also your organization as a whole.

Part 1: Why Should You Lead the Leader?

To be a successful follower, you must possess the ability to lead your leader effectively. Growth Leadership, as we’ve defined earlier, is the practice of actively interacting with those who guide you. It’s about bringing fresh insights to the table, identifying challenges or opportunities that others may not see, and addressing potential blind spots your supervisor may have.

The benefits of Growth Leadership are numerous:

1. Enhanced Communication: By engaging in open and honest conversations with your leader, you’ll improve communication channels and foster a more transparent work environment.
2. Increased Collaboration: When you take the initiative to involve your leader in your team’s activities and share your observations, you create opportunities for collaborative problem-solving and idea generation.
3. Empowered Decision-Making: By providing your leader with valuable insights and information, you enable them to make better-informed decisions that can positively impact the entire organization.
4. Personal and Professional Growth: By stepping up and taking charge, you demonstrate your leadership potential, which can lead to greater responsibilities, promotions, and overall career advancement.

Part 2: Break the Cycle – From Hesitation to Initiation

So, how do you transition from a passive follower to an Growth Leader? It all starts with breaking the cycle of hesitation, presumption, grumbling, and evasion. Instead, embrace a new approach that includes initiation, inquiry, communication, and welcoming.

Here are four simple steps to get started:

1. INITIATE: Reach out to your supervisor and request a meeting. Be proactive, and don’t wait for them to come to you. Show them you’re eager to contribute and collaborate.
2. INQUIRE: During your meeting, ask questions to better understand their perspective and priorities. Inquire about how you can improve communication with them and support their goals.
3. COMMUNICATE: Share your observations and ideas. Offer constructive feedback and suggest ways your team or organization can improve its operations. Be honest, respectful, and solution-oriented.
4. WELCOME: Encourage your leader to get involved with your team’s activities. Invite them to attend team meetings or brainstorming sessions. Create opportunities for them to engage with your team and build stronger relationships.

Part 3: Embrace Your New Role

As you step into the world of Growth Leadership, remember that this is an ongoing process. It requires constant effort, reflection, and improvement. Be patient with yourself, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks or resistance from others.

Here are some tips to help you embrace your new role as an Growth leader:

1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Be open to learning and growth. Embrace challenges, take risks, and learn from your mistakes.
2. Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from your leader, peers, and team members. Use it as an opportunity to refine your leadership skills and adapt your approach.
3. Build Trust: Establish strong relationships with your leader and team members by demonstrating integrity, reliability, and transparency.
4. Stay Curious: Keep learning and expanding your knowledge in your field. Be open to new ideas and approaches that can help you grow as a leader and contribute to your organization’s success.

Part 4: Encourage a Culture of Growth Leadership

Now that you’ve embraced your role as a Growth Leader, it’s time to spread the word and create a culture that encourages and supports this type of leadership throughout your organization. Here are some ways to promote Growth Leadership among your colleagues and team members:

1. Share Your Experiences: Talk about your journey towards Growth Leadership with your peers and team members. Share the lessons you’ve learned, the challenges you’ve faced, and the benefits you’ve experienced.
2. Lead by Example: Demonstrate Growth Leadership in your everyday actions and interactions. Show your colleagues and team members how to lead the leader by actively engaging with your supervisors and seeking opportunities for collaboration.
3. Offer Support: Encourage and support your colleagues and team members as they embark on their own Growth Leadership journey. Offer guidance, share resources, and celebrate their successes.
4. Foster a Safe Environment: Create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts, ideas, and feedback. Encourage open communication, constructive feedback, and active listening.

Part 5: Overcoming Obstacles and Resistance

As you promote Growth Leadership within your organization, you may face some resistance or challenges.

Here are some strategies for overcoming these obstacles:

1. Address Concerns Head-On: Be prepared to address concerns or objections from your leader or colleagues. Clearly communicate the benefits of Growth Leadership and address any misconceptions or fears they may have.
2. Be Persistent: Change takes time, and you may not see immediate results. Stay committed to your Growth Leadership journey and continue to demonstrate its value through your actions.
3. Build Alliances: Seek out like-minded colleagues and team members who share your passion for Growth Leadership. Together, you can work towards creating a culture that embraces this approach to leadership.
4. Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude and keep focused on the potential benefits of Growth Leadership. Celebrate small wins and progress, and use setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.

In today’s ever-changing business landscape, it’s more important than ever for professionals to take charge and lead the leader. By embracing Growth Leadership, you’ll not only improve communication, collaboration, and decision-making within your organization, but you’ll also set yourself up for personal and professional growth. So, stop following the leader and start leading them instead! With persistence, patience, and a little bit of courage, you’ll soon see the incredible impact Growth Leadership can have on your career and your organization.