I think the true, if not the truest, measure of leadership is how you make people feel. There are several deep meanings of word feel, none which I intend to discuss here. The main point and or question I have for the group is; How are you making your people feel?
Leaders drive the ship and every ship has a wake that is left behind. Every leader, whether they like it or not, is responsible for the positive or negative path of that wake. What does your wake look like relative to those you lead?
Do they wake in the morning anxious to get to work? or Do they wake feeling the dread of another day?
Do they approach their work with passion and charisma? or Do they do what is necessary to get by?
Do they often say, It’s six o’clock already? or Do they often say, It’s only three, ugh, three more hours!
Do they get right on it or do they just get to it?
Leaders, when you walk around your organization this week, ask some pointed questions. And for those of you who are thinking, hey pal, “soft stuff” is for softies. I suggest to you this is the hard stuff. This is the stuff you ignore only to have it bite you later.
Here’s the point – You, in many cases, are the cause and if you are making people feel this way, how do you think they are making subordinates and customers feel?
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Mike, A thought provoking post.
I have certainly fallen short of making folks feel good at times across my career, particularly with tough projects with significant financial ramifications for not delivering. I have sometimes left a wide and bloody wake, which is something I am not so proud of. That said, we can always choose to lead and manage differently, learn from past experiences and enhance future outcomes by being more aware.