Two things which often get in the way of leadership…titles and authority. We’ve been conditioned to believe authority and a higher position in an organization begets a following. And on the basis of financial security, it does. But, just because a person falls in line doesn't make them a believer.
Leadership begins with a vision, and then enrollment of people in this vision. This takes tremendous patience, experience and effort…and a willingness to be accountable for change, even when the goal isn’t achieved. Of course, it’s easier to simply direct and manage an outcome. But the long-term effects of this approach are higher turn-over and poor results. It turns out, most people want to learn, want to lead and want to take an active part in the process of change. It's also well documented, people are filled with great ideas. Sometimes, better than ours. Leadership activates participation and the energy of people who believe what we believe. It gives them a chance to make a difference, not just follow along.
There are instances when a precise outcome with no variance and no time for deliberation needs to occur, an airliner in peril or when the water line breaks. These instances demand experience, and doing what this experience suggests, without deliberation. But for everything else, we need more leadership, more participation, more learning and more teaching. Because in the end, we need things to change…and this requires someone to lead us there…not just to tell us what to do next.