True Leaders, In Following, Lead From The Side

Leader--the title sounds great!--certainly something to aspire to.

Leaders have:

• individual characteristics which people recognize and value
• opportunities in abundance which many times pursue them
• a following--people who are willing to take direction from them and help them stay the course

Given that leaders (those with the titles) can make or break a business/organization, depending upon how they and others surrounding them lead, it's important that organizations have the ability to recognize and develop leadership potential.

Not everyone is born or taught to be a leader, but certain skills and attitudes we all are capable of attaining give all of us the capacity to lead, whether directly or from the side. Those skills and attitudes, observed most easily through watching people follow, allow us to test whether we are in the company of true leaders and whether we ourselves are developing as and developing true leaders. True leaders, in following, lead from the side.

So how would you test another person's (or your own) ability to lead from the side?

Certainly you and everyone you interact with is not continuously in a leadership role. Whether you're observing another or yourself, in a followership or a leadership role, note the following:

• Observe the quality of the work put forth. A true leader will always put forth their best quality work, even if it's not something they want to do. They ask what the required time-frame is for completing the work and the expectations of those who will receive it and then deliver. They recognize that all of their work is a reflection of who they are individually.

• Observe a meeting in your organization or elsewhere. True leaders, whether they are setting the agenda or not, set expectations. They are the individuals who will ask for an agenda, help the leader move through the agenda, and make sure all relevant points surrounding decisions are brought forth prior to any decisions being made. They protect the designated leader from making mistakes and do everything possible to help that leader evaluate options and make the right decisions. They are the individuals who walk into a meeting expecting something constructive can and will occur and they do everything possible to make that happen.

• Observe how an individual treats a co-worker. A true leader never belittles--there's no need. Every person is equal to them as an individual. Although people may have very different skills and value to the organization, they all have value. Just as a conductor knows the orchestra lacks harmony when the third string violins are missing, so also the true leader recognizes that organizational harmony (success) is achieved through all the players in the organization.

• Observe how an individual develops others. True leaders know that in developing others and helping others create their own success, it takes nothing from them. It only adds to the wealth of knowledge and ability of which all can partake.

• Observe what an individual says about others. True leaders don't have time to back-stab. They don't have time to tear down others. They are too busy creating success for themselves and others. They recognize that individual development comes from constructive comments directed at an individual. In conversations with others, they recognize that if there is nothing good to say, there may be nothing to say.

• Observe the number of times an individual tries to find middle ground. True leaders, most often, want things to work out well for everyone. They want all parties to go away from the table feeling they received what they wanted and needed. They recognize the potential in developing win-win situations and are constantly looking for avenues to create success.

• Observe how an individual deals with failure. A true leader recognizes life is full of successes and failures and it's up to them to minimize failures and maximize successes. Any and each failure is an opportunity to learn--a stepping stone to future success.

• Observe the number of times an individual gives credit to others. True leaders recognize they don't go it alone. They recognize that events and those surrounding them help them create success. They are willing to share the credit for that success because they know it was never theirs alone.

• Observe the flexibility of an individual. True leaders recognize the world is a dynamic place. As the world shifts, so do they. As new products, ideas and information become available, they are there to grasp them and assimilate them into their lives and their work.

• Observe an individual's willingness to listen and explore contrasting points of view. True leaders recognize their view of the world is limited but the collective knowledge of all those in the world is limitless. They pursue ideas, regardless of the person presenting them. Other's ideas may not change how they think but the ideas allow them to continually test their own thoughts and ideas.

Titles can be irrelevant when it comes to defining a true leader but organizations most often function best when there is some clear designated leadership with others following willingly and well. But as a leader or a follower, we all lead in some fashion or another.

In choosing how we follow, we almost always choose how we lead.

© Mind Tools Ltd, 1995-2008