Leadership is not Doing Everything For Everyone
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By Marie-Claire Andrews in People Published: Thursday, 18 September 08 - 08:26 AM (GMT +12:00) Last Updated: Thursday, 18 September 08 - 08:33 AM (GMT +12:00) |
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I love Wednesdays, they start with a 'business development breakfast' with Frances, where we put the world to rights and then, for the last five mins, sort out the projects we're working on and talk tactics for getting more. I also work out of a client's office on Mondays and Tuesdays so I belong to them, Wednesday's herald the start of 'my' week.
Unfortunately yesterday wasn't such a good Wednesday. Too many little commitments getting in the way of the big thinking required. Too many people ringing me for little things they could have sorted themselves. Too many emails checking to see if its OK to do this, or that. It made me feel exhausted, unable to focus on anything at all, and sapped my oomph. Not good.
I worked out that its partly because as General Catalyst To Get Shit Done, i tend to wade in and Get Shit Done more than remembering to be a Catalyst. I do, rather than lead. And that creates relationships where I'm depended on, and relied on for answers, where people don't feel able to Get Their Own Shit Done without calling me. It's not flattering, its exhausting and not good for either party.
So I'm re-reading my leadership books, spending more time with some leaders whose style I admire, and trying to put the balance back into those relationships. Leadership is not about doing stuff, its about creating an environment where lots of stuff gets done by happy people who are also leaders. Please yell at me (gently) if I wade in too much in the coming weeks, this is a whole new muscle I'm exercising!
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| I have a solution | Tim de Jardine | 09/22/08 |
| Inspiration | Paul Spence | 09/27/08 |
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Top | Reply to this Title: I have a solution Author: Tim de Jardine (http://www.timdejardine.com) Date Posted: 22 Sep 2008 04:54 PM (GMT +12:00) read the 4 hour work week :) |
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Top | Reply to this Title: Inspiration Author: Paul Spence (http://geniusnet.blogtown.co.nz/) Date Posted: 27 Sep 2008 11:26 PM (GMT +12:00) I agree that leadership is less about being autocratic and more about defining, inspiring, resourcing and rewarding. It has been evident that you are exploring exactly what your leadership style should be. One never quite knows whether one should give "helpful feedback" in such situations, especially where friendships are at stake. But it seems you just gave us permission to do so.
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