The best leaders push an important point downward. You work with me, not for me. Even leaders who excel at holding others accountable understand the importance of this distinction in how team members engage. When people have it in their mind that they work for a leader, they operate differently. They wait for instructions, seek approval to make decisions, edit or filter what they say, and offer new ideas only when asked. This so-called boss effect creates a team of followers who wait to be directed anytime the leader is present, and often when they’re not.
“Fighting this reverence is what great leaders do.”
That says it all!
Certainly, Jim. Many of the best leadership behaviors come from this kind of a daily fight.
This is one of those phrases that needs to be lived, not just said.
It could already be on the edge of being trite.
Well ...
I suppose any phrase is in danger of being flipped into a hack statement that doesn't truly mean anything.
Living it out ... fantastic!
Right, Steve, easy way to lose credibility.
Championing this statement without practicing it is a fast track to trouble.