This week, I’m going to
do something I will likely never do again. I’m going to reference a lengthy
quote from the book “Leaders Eat Last” by one of my favorite leadership gurus,
Simon Sinek. He is a groundbreaking thinker in leadership who studies our
biological tendencies as related to leadership theory and practice. His work is
fascinating and I know you will be encouraged by his words. This excerpt is
taken from a chapter discussing the concept of alpha leaders in tribes, the
perks afforded to those alpha individuals, and the dynamics around how certain
individuals naturally rise as alphas to the forefront in a group. Toward the
end of the chapter, he applies his discussion to modern leadership in politics
and in organizational leadership. Here is where we pick up his thought:
“The rank of office is
not what makes someone a leader. Leadership is the choice to serve others
with or without any formal rank. There are people with authority who are not
leaders and there are people at the bottom rungs of an organization who most
certainly are leaders. It’s ok for leaders to enjoy all the perks afforded to
them. However, they must be willing to give up those perks when necessary.
Leaders are the ones
willing to look out for those to the left and to the right of them. They are
often willing to sacrifice their own comfort for ours, even when they disagree
with us. Trust is not simply a matter of
shared opinions. Leaders are the ones who are willing to give up something
of their own for us. Their time, their energy, their money, maybe even the food
off their plate. When it matters, leaders
CHOOSE to eat last. By the objective standards of leadership, those who aim
to raise their own status simply so they can enjoy the perks themselves without
fulfilling their responsibilities as leaders are, plain and simple, weak
leaders. Though they may achieve alpha status and rise in the ranks, though
they may possess talents and strengths that could earmark them for alpha
status, they only become leaders when they accept the responsibility to
protect those in their care. If they choose to sacrifice those in their
tribe for personal gain, however, they will often struggle to hold on to the
position once they’ve got it. Again, the group is not stupid. The people always
have the power.
The leaders of
organizations who rise through the ranks not because they want it, but because
the tribe keeps offering higher status out of their gratitude for their
willingness to sacrifice, are the true leaders worthy of our trust and loyalty.
What makes a good leader is that they eschew the spotlight in favor of spending
time and energy to do what they need to do to support and protect their people.
And when we feel that circle of safety around us, we offer our blood, sweat and
tears and do everything we can to see our leader’s vision come to life. The
only thing our leaders ever need to do is remember whom they serve and it will
be our honor and pleasure to serve them back.”
Lest you think I’m
pawning my post off on Simon this week, here are the questions I’ve been
wresting with since reading this confronting chapter:
Are you frustrated at
the lack of “followership” in your organization? Perhaps you should examine
your willingness to lay down your alpha perks – and not just your willingness,
but how often you ACTUALLY DO decline those things in favor of support and
protection of those you are leading.
When are you eating? Are
you rushing forward to the front of the line when it comes to the proverbial and
literal dinnertime? Do those in your care really believe you would go without
if eating meant they wouldn't go hungry? How often are you at the back of the line,
letting those you lead go ahead? If you’re constantly looking out for yourself
instead of those you lead in these visible, tangible, practical moments…don’t
be surprised if they are less inclined to get behind you when your vision is at
stake.
Do you, as a leader,
TRULY believe it is your number one priority to serve those you lead? Do you
act like it? Do you exemplify it in everyday situations like eating and conversation?
Have you considered what it means to serve another person in a conversation?
The ramifications of
these concepts run deep and wide in our organizations and vividly highlight how
much of an impact we can have in the dynamics of our cultures. “Servant
leadership” is such an overused, cliché term – mostly because we use it without
a tangible connection to action and visible example. But it’s not a modern
concept – it’s an ancient instinct. It’s how humanity has behaved and
interacted for centuries. It’s how the group identifies and recognizes the
alphas. You don’t lead unless the tribe is convinced you will serve.
Serving
our people doesn’t happen in big ways. It happens in little ways. It happens in
the lunch line. It happens in our conversations. It happens when we take the
time to LOOK for ways to be selfless in frequent, everyday situations.
A culture like this
breeds amazing followers. Followers who KNOW that their safety and well being
are their leader’s priority…priority enough to feel served and supported and
protected, are the ones who respond without hesitation to a leader’s request
when it’s game time. We are biologically wired to return that favor hand over
fist.
Lean forward,
Bekka
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