This week, I have had multiple conversations with several clients on the topic of leadership skills. The most commonly-held “deep dark secret” of those in a leadership role is that they feel to some degree unprepared or inadequate in the skills needed to lead others. As one client put it, “I’m not much of a leader, Beth – I feel like I am winging it all the time!”
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Most people currently in a leadership role didn’t start in their industry with the intention of being the boss, they started in their industry in order to do the work that the industry does. Along the way, as they gained experience and were promoted, they found themselves directing and coordinating the efforts of others. Their role has changed, and they feel unprepared for the responsibilities… even after several years in the position! What’s more, they often feel that asking for assistance is a sign of weakness.
Nothing could be further from the truth. No one is skilled at everything, and no one is so good that they can’t benefit from improvement. In fact, a leader is in a unique position to establish a culture of improvement for their organization by honestly and gracefully accepting negative feedback.
I recently read a story of a true leader’s healthy response to such a situation:
“Bob stood up and read his evaluation out loud. It was not pretty. There were lots of problems and weaknesses that his team had identified. He had basically flunked. As the 100 top leaders sat there, listening to Bob read his report, the place was absolutely quiet.
Then Bob said, “I’m going to post this outside my office. Then I’ll be getting to work on following these recommendations and changing how I lead. In three months I’ll be asking my direct reports to evaluate me again, and I’ll also post those results, so you can see my progress.”
He continued, “In these times of change, the only way that this organization, and our jobs, have a chance of surviving, is that we need to make some big changes, quickly. You’ve just seen my personal plan for change. Now I look forward to seeing yours.”
Then Bob walked out of the room. No one said a word.”
Acknowledging shortcomings isn’t easy, but it is the only way to honestly address and improve upon them. Leading by example in this way demonstrates that change is necessary, possible and needed for every member of the organization.
Do you have the courage to fail? More importantly, do you have the courage to fail like Bob?