Define Your Role As Leader

10 years ago I had the pleasure to work with  Bill Lowery.  During one of our conversations, Bill told me a story about defining leadership.   Bill was a legislative aide for Oregon Senator Brady Adams.   In Bill’s first meeting with the Senator’s team, Senator Adams sat his entire staff down and said the following…

“I respect all of you and very much value all of your opinions and ideas (or you would not be here…was implied).  In exchange for me respecting you and your right to give me (express) your ideas and opinions all I ask in return is that you respect my right to make the final decision… and that you all support and stand behind that decision.”  Senator Brady Adams

Bill paraphrased the speech,  but I think the essence behind Senator Adams message was captured.    As a your leader, I value and desire your opinion.   As my team member you need to respect and value my decisions on those opinions.     I will listen to you, but you need follow my lead.

To often, new leaders struggle with setting a tone during their first meeting that defines their role is in the organization.    Teams need to clearly understand the role of the leader.      Leadership means different things to different people and it is always a good idea to set clear expectations at the start. Otherwise, the leader will run the risk of their team creating a definition for him/her that will be counter to the leaders goals.

Far too many “managers” also don’t take advantage of the wealth of knowledge their teams may have to help solve challenges.     By using the message above, new managers can become true leaders and make it clear that they value the teams opinion.    A leader without the help, collaboration and support of his team is simply a individual contributor who manages the tasks of the people that report to him.

Define your role as leader of the team and you have greater success in accomplishing your team’s objectives.