Deem

While there are many people in leadership positions, and those who plaster big, fat titles at the bottom of their e-mails to call attention to their stature in an organization, the more time I spend in the business world and even in the world in general, the more I value a really good leader.  Leaders appear to be a dime a dozen, but the truly great ones are a rare breed.

When this first became apparent to me it was more than disappointing, you might call it crushing.  My expectation is that those in the big paying, strategic decision making positions should be the most talented people in the organization, hands-down. It’s simply not true.  I feel the same about recognition.  Individuals bestowed with celebrated awards should have work product that is clearly above what everyone else is doing.  But that’s not it.  Awards are no more than catching someone doing something well at a particular point in time.  They don’t necessarily signify the best.

Maybe I’ve had my blinders on for so long because seeing the truth means that I have to accept that this is yet another arena where things are not always fair.  I could look at it this way, but there is another perspective that opens doors. 

Lots of people who find themselves in leadership roles they are ill-equipped for are extremely uncomfortable where they’re at.  They’d never show you this on the outside, but it’s what’s happening inside.  How could it not be?  We’re all afraid of failure to some degree.  I don’t think I know anyone who is comfortable talking openly about their failures, and the benefits of them (although I did write a white paper on this once; it’s probably still in my manager’s in-box as his attempt to shelter me from career suicide). 

So what happens when we’re lost and frightened?  Our communication is unclear, we bark orders, we feel the need to constantly remind others of looming deadlines and the consequences of failure, we become impatient for results, we become defensive, we lay blame, we change direction frequently, we change our minds, everything is last minute, or we try to do it all ourselves. Sound like anyone you know?   Or maybe everyone you know?

The upside of this for those of us who think those in powerful positions should know it all, and are daunted by the theatrics fearful and fumbling leaders use to shroud their flaws is this:   We’re all human.  Remember when Marcia Brady failed her driver’s test and Mr. Brady suggested she just imagine the instructor in his underwear and all the intimidation and nervousness she felt would disappear?  I think I’ve been scarred for life with the picture of that old guy in his boxers, but it really did bring the point home. 

In one of my all-time favorite business books “True North”, the author talks about how leaders are at all levels of an organization, that the bosses may have the titles, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the leaders.  Instead of feeling inferior to a poor leader in a high-level position, you can look at it as an opportunity for a great leader like you in a subordinate role to shine.  Once you start imagining this guy in his underwear, so to speak, you can begin to become his advisor. You can offer to take tasks off his plate that he’s clearly not good at. It just takes a little courage and confidence.

I tell my high-potential people all the time that it’s rare to find a group of individuals clamoring to be the leader.  In fact, one of the things I love most about my job is putting a group together and then watching the leader bubble up.  I like to think I’m pretty good at calling the winner before others even see it.

Leadership is there for the taking.  The really great leaders grab it. And eventually, I hope anyway, the best somehow make it to the top.