By: Tony Marciel
There's a lot of talk about who a leader is, what a leader should do and how a
leader needs to operate, but I'm curious as to the 'why.'
With most things in my life I try to drive to the 'why.' I'll probably unpack more in a later
blog, but for me it's important to understand the why of any given situation.
If I can understand the motivation and intent,
then I can better understand the 'what' I'm seeing.
For leadership I think it's critical to know the 'why' you are a
leader. Why did you take the promotion that put you in a leadership role? Or..
why did you accept the job offer that had leadership responsibilities?
Was it for the authority? Money? The sweet job title on a business card? Were
you the only warm body left and you got moved up to fill a gap.
For me being a leader is all about empowering people. When people ask,
"What do you do at <insert company name here>?" I usually
respond with "Help my people succeed and try to stay out of their
way." I firmly believe leadership is about serving. Leadership is about
emptying one's cup of wisdom, support, experience, and self into other's cups.
I might not fill another person's cup, but I will empty mine.
So, do you have clarity on your 'why?'
What would your staff says is your motivation?
Answer that question in the simplest fashion. Check
to see that your actions and methods support your 'why.’
