For all a leader’s good intentions, when the rubber hits the pavement, it often becomes a different story. Many leaders believe they empower their people, but when you ask their people it may not be the case. Part of the reason a person becomes a leader is because they have ideas and opinions about things and are not shy about sharing those. So it is natural to find leaders who are dominant personalities. Those dominant personalities often like to lead by example. Do as I do. Then we’ll all be happy, right?
In a recent leadership retreat I facilitated, I asked the people present to share how they prefer to get direction from their superiors (or even their partners). They unanimously shared that they liked to get the end result task and be allowed to resolve the problem themselves, not be told how to do it. They all said they felt more empowered, proud of themselves to have accomplished something that required their own personal skill, knowledge and wisdom and at the end of the day, that was what motivated them in their jobs.
Later that same day, our group embarked on a hike through the mountains. It was a 5 mile hike and everyone knew what it entailed and could either come along or not. So the participants all began this journey. One of the other leaders and myself were at the beginning of the trail and everyone was given the various turns and ways to return to the vehicles. But because my hiking partner and I were more experienced hikers, we ended up getting pretty far ahead in no time. We were talking and suddenly realized the rest of the group was way behind. My inclination was to keep on, there was virtually no way they could get lost and they had my cell in case they did. My hiking partner hesitated and wanted to turn back. What about this scree (loose rock) here? That tough downhill back there and so on? How can they make it? I then reminded her of what they all said they preferred as ways to accomplish tasks. Trust them, they will find their own ways through each of these challenging obstacles.
So at the end, after being jibbed about choosing such a long trail, not having the correct shoes, and so on, that night at dinner, after a shower and food, everyone was cheerfully sharing how good they felt. Many had never done 5 miles in the mountains before, yet they did it, no accidents, no injuries, and they were all proud of themselves. My hiking partner smiled at me and another lesson learned. If you hired them, you ought to trust them. They may surprise you!