As many of you know, over 11 of the 13 years that I was working with the Texas District LCMS, I published a weekly newsletter. One of the usual parts of the newsletter was the topic of leadership. Even today, I continue to ponder the idea of “leadership” and what that looks like. My shelves continue to be filled with books on leadership, and I have managed to read articles from the internet related to leadership, saving those that I feel might be good reference materials. These books and articles define leadership, identify leadership characteristics, list many do’s and don’ts of leadership, and approach leadership from just about every perspective possible. And yet, with all that’s been written, there is apparently still the idea that something hasn’t been printed or considered.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s that there is still an effort to get leaders moving in the job of being a leader. As most of you know, I’m an avid golfer…that doesn’t mean I’m a great golfer, just avid. But I have learned this much about golf: just reading about it or watching it on TV doesn’t help a person get better. You have to do the job of “golfing”…you have to get out there on the golf course and do it…and do it over and over again. I’ve also learned that doing the wrong thing over and over again will produce results that are far from the quality that produces good scores. For example, not keeping your eye on the ball (lifting your head) will mostly result in a very poor shot…trust me, I’ve experienced trying to hurry up and see the great shot I’ve hit before the ball has been struck. It’s rarely pretty and rarely goes in the direction I intend!
Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds, maybe thousands, of things to “remember” when you take that golf swing such as:
· Don’t take your eye off the ball too soon.
· Don’t tee the ball too high or too low.
· Don’t sway the head or trunk.
· Don’t shift your feet during the stroke.
· Don’t be too rigid.
· Don’t flex the left arm too much.
· And on and on.
Well, to do the job of leadership, I thought of a few things that good leaders need NOT do in order to do the job of leadership. Here they are with just a few thoughts (and the list is not exhaustive):
- Don’t do others’ jobs for them..or don’t get in the weeds with them. When you as the leader fixates on the details that need doing, your progress as a leader is zilch. It’s hard to give up doing, but the job of the leader is to conduct the orchestra, not play all the instruments.
- Don’t expect others to be like you. Successful leaders respect individual differences…they channel the styles and talents towards the ultimate goal.
- Don’t attend too many meetings. Remember, the leader’s presence in a meeting changes the dynamics of a meeting…the conversations change. And meetings aren’t necessary the best place to spend your time.
- Don’t become “one of the boys (or girls).” Too much camaraderie can make for too little respect. Yes, a leader needs to be accessible and on good terms with the team…but not too close.
- Don’t add your two cents too often. If you have good people on the team, allow for the fact that a different approach might just work. Adding your two cents comes at a cost of others’ personal commitment to the task.
- Don’t use “no, but, and however.” If a person provides an idea or suggestion, your response probably ought not be: “That’s a good idea, BUT wouldn’t it be better if we go this way instead?” Or not: “NO, I think the best way to get there is to do this.” Or not: “Good idea. HOWEVER, let’s talk to Joe because he tried something similar and it didn’t work.”
- Don’t be stingy with recognition and praise. If you want people to accomplish great things, you have to let them know you believe they can do it. Show faith in their abilities.
- Don’t let emotion get in the way of your message. Being a good leader means to shun excuses. It means doing what’s right, not what’s easy. It’s ok to show emotion, but only when it’s contributing to your objectives.
- Don’t provide all the answers without asking questions. Help people develop their own solutions. Don’t act like a parent who answers the question before it’s even asked. Avoid being the “solution” person.
Remember, a leader leads! And sometimes that means getting out of the way.
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