Leadership & You #5
Have you ever noticed it is always the same people who volunteer and involve themselves in all aspects of the community?
Regional and rural Australia would not be the same without our army of volunteers, community leaders, and people who put their hands up to lend a hand for the betterment of the community. This is a quick shout out to firstly say thank you – and also encourage you to keep going! We will need you more than ever over the next few years.
Leadership has no off switch. Leadership is about engaging with, motivating and inspiring people to help make a difference. Leadership is not a title. Just because you are in charge – does not make you a leader. Leadership is a verb – you actually have to do things. Leadership has many dimensions.
Leadership is about change. It is about leaving a legacy or making a positive impact on a community, group of people, or person. Leadership requires:
- Having a clear from and to quest, vision, or direction
- A leader to have an ability to motivate and inspire others
- The need to align and engage people
Leadership is not about telling – that is instructing. Leadership is not about goal setting and reporting – that is management. Leadership is not about micromanagement – that is supervising. Leadership is about encouraging, empowering, and enforcing agreed direction, standards, values, and behaviours. Often leadership, management and supervision are interchanged with each other. They are different and should not be confused. All three are important. Usually, a leader will need to wear all three hats. The key is to understand the different dynamic and strike the ideal personal ratio of leadership – management – supervision in any team setting.
The 20-60-20 ratio provides a good guide to help any leader balance what time they spend on leading, managing and supervising others.
- 20% of time on leading others.
- 60% of time managing performance.
- 20% on supervising the day to day.
Typically, way too much time is spent on the latter – supervision – which makes the leadership dynamic difficult.
To be clear:
- Leadership is about change, in the pursuit of a clear, compelling, and agreed vision.
- Management is about performance – how a team or individual is performing to agreed standards.
- Supervision is about the day to day – its focus is on the here and now.
Lamp – Lifeboat – Ladder? The leadership dynamic is unpredictable. At any given moment, a leader may be required to be a lamp, lifeboat, or ladder:
- Lamp: requires a leader to shine a light on an area of focus – or light up a direction to follow. It provides clarity of focus.
- Lifeboat: requires a leader to put their arms around and support someone who is doing it tough. It is who people turn to for help and support.
- Ladder: is where a leader gives someone a leg up – or helps accelerate their personal journey with their wisdom, advice, or contacts.
A leader never knows when they may be required to provide one of these supports to people. It happens without warning. We should be thankful for our army of community leaders who we reach out to for direction, comfort, or wisdom. They are our trusted community members who we all rely on to help achieve things, get things done, or overcome difficult challenges.
You do not need to be in charge to be an effective leader. Leadership is a dynamic. It is no surprise to see the same people bobbing up all over the community involving themselves in community initiatives, volunteering their time, or being a source of wisdom. To them I say thank-you and keep going! Every community needs you to keep leading and influencing to help strengthen the community for the better.
Leadership Lesson
Leadership is not a part-time work activity. It is not a title. Leadership is a full-time life quest. It is about leaving a legacy – adding value – making a difference – strengthening a community – inspiring a team or individual – being willing to help and support.
Facta Non Verba – Deeds Not Words
