I believe 3 simple ideas form the foundation for effective leadership. These ideas are central in the design of my flagship course, 21st Century Leadership. These same ideas are key ingredients in the development of my advanced leadership programs, my communications, coaching, mentoring and leadership.
1. Generally speaking, People Want To Help.
There are two ways to think about this notion.
The first is anecdotally. Ask yourself, “Am I a person who wants to help?” The question is not, “Do I always help?” Rather, are you someone who, when asked, or when you are aware of an opportunity or need, has a desire to help?
The second is scientific. With the rapid advances in neuroscience, study after study concludes we humans are wired to help.
2. Generally speaking, People Help First Those They Think They Know The Best – Those With Whom They Have The Strongest Connection And Bond.
The connection between two people, and the bond that ensues, is developed through the information a person collects, consciously and unconsciously, that supports the belief that he or she truly knows the other person.
Again, ask yourself, “If two people ask me for help at the same time and all conditions are equal except that I know one of them better and am more closely connected to that person, which one do I help first?” I have yet to have any of the thousands of people with whom I have worked disagree with the response, “The person with whom I have the strongest bond – the closest connection, is the person I help first, all other conditions being equal.”
3. The Leadership Imperative Is For Leaders To Let Themselves Be Known.
Assuming a leader is pursuing endeavors that are big enough for the leader, endeavors worthy of the leader’s intention, talent and commitment, the leader assuredly requires help to accomplish what she or he has identified as important. If the leader thinks no help is required, or if it is true that no help is needed, then the endeavor is small and shortsighted from my point of view.
It is well documented that people do not quit their jobs; they quit their leaders – that’s 2.5 million people a month! Pundits ascribe a variety of reasons, failures on the leaders part, to this costly and disruptive statistic.
In my experience, even if a leader has some apparent shortcomings, the people who believe they know the leader and feel connected and bonded to her or him stick. Think about whom you choose to follow. More specifically, think about the strength of the bond you have with the person, or people, you decide to follow and work with over the long-term.
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