JUNE 9, 2023
One of the most difficult tasks of any leader is to empower their followers. It is much easier said than done. First, your people need to give their permission to follow you. (Our Level 2 leader) Without permission, a leader will not be effective at coordinating their troops to accomplish the mission. You might inspire a follower by demanding or threatening them, but that may only happen once before the follower learns that he/she may be in the wrong seat or possibly on the wrong bus.
Gallup has been a great tool for your Elevator Guy in his “coaching” gigs with the use of Clifton Strength Finders and other valuable tools. Gallup offers us the “Four Needs of Followers” that any leader should be tuned into for effective and inspiring results. The Four Needs of Followers include:
- Trust: Without this one, none of the others matter. A firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. (Integrity comes to mind here. Do you have it?)
- Compassion: If you are not concerned about your people, they won’t be concerned about your business. All of us are human and we all need to feel like we belong. That means taking care of and looking out for one another.
- Stability: Does your culture or environment offer a stability of character or stable reputation? Is there a sense of calmness and clarity in your job? (Why not try “Fun-Gets-Done.” Things get done when you are having fun.)
- Hope: Do you offer a sense, feeling or desire for good things to happen? People count on you and your leadership. Start with small hopes as this may be all a person needs to become a great follower.
Are you an inspirational leader? If not, you may need to figure out ways to become more inspirational because your people are counting on you. That means you will need to understand and appreciate what your followers go through daily. Try to avoid the drama but be sensitive to the wants and needs of your followers. They each have lives that matter and may just need a little lift to get them over a bump in their life. Develop each one of them based on their wants and needs because some of them are looking for a career, some of them are looking for a heads-up or a hand-up, and some of them are just looking. I like the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink.” Your job is to “Teach” them how to drink the culture you have built in your own organization.
Now you are strengthened and energized to succeed. You have the ability and power to succeed. So, “Do it for them.” “Lead and they will follow.” Be looking for those future leaders right in your midst. They are following and may want to lead themselves.
Elevator Guy
Quote for the Day; “Customers will never love a company until the employees love it first.” Simon Sinek