There is so much content about leadership. A Google search will deliver 2.6 Billion results offering various topic areas of ‘how to define leadership,” “leadership skills,” “styles” (e.g. transformative, authoritarian, transactional), “why is leadership important,” along with many other pieces of information including “ubuntu leadership.” Much of what we address in the business of Transform. Action. Strategy. and carry into our Sage Advice posts fit under this broad umbrella.
Why is so much information needed?
- Some people could say that good leadership is difficult to attain. I agree, there should be a high bar to shoot for and continued efforts to improve is core to a good leader. You never arrive at being the best leader, there is always room for improvement.
- Others may state the large volume of information available is an indicator of the importance of leadership. In any organization (e.g. large or small, government and private), in any sector (e.g. nonprofit, education, private), at any age (e.g. elementary, higher-education, golden years) “good leadership” is essential.
- Some say leadership skills are something you are born with and that it is not for everyone. Maybe? We are equipped with different strengths, knowledge, and communication styles that manifest into confidence and risk taking. Some people don’t enjoy or thrive on the responsibilities that come with leadership. A person’s passion to lean in and do what “fills their bucket” is incredibly important. Don’t put a square peg into a round hole. If leadership is not your gig, its best to steer away from such roles.
- Some people could say leadership is complicated. Here I disagree, I believe we have made leadership more complicated than it is.
Case in point, is one of my favorite leadership books: Peanut Butter and Jelly Management by Chris and Reina Komisarjevsky. Using metaphor and practical tales, the authors reveal key leadership principles in their chapter headings like “leaders step forward,” “Values are palpable,” “The courage to let go,” “I’m sorry…,” “Goal setting.” The application is two-fold: instruction a parent would provide to a child in parallel with the application to management and leadership practices. I remember discovering and reading this book as I pursued a degree in organizational psychology (and a mom of infant twins). Its brilliant how the authors compare and contrast some simple truths that we teach our children and how relevant it is to leadership in the workplace. There are core skills, vulnerabilities, beliefs, and practices that make good leaders. If we can remain authentic, articulate the direction needed, tap into the passion of our focus together and believe we can strive to do better (the lessons we also try to instill in our youth), we are well on the way to lead towards a better tomorrow. We do not have to make leadership complex, ominous, or complicated. Give me a little PB & J, please.
Thinking about the lessons in Komisarjevsky’s book, I then consider what other lessons were core in my own upbringing that apply? Two come to mind, and today I will explore the Golden Rule.
“Do unto others as you would like done to you” Matthew 7:12, also known as the Golden Rule. My mom would often recite this to me as a child, and later she would casually mention “remember the Golden Rule…” as a gentle guide in a larger social situation. It wasn’t until adulthood that I realized this is one of many guiding principles offered by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount. “Treat others the way you would want to be treated” is a simple instruction most people (young and old) can understand. Following the framework of the Komisarjevsky’s PB & J book there is a leadership principle with the Golden Rule. While I don’t recall if it’s in the book, I’d like to take a moment to reflect where and why applying the Golden Rule in the workplace is significant for leaders.
As a leader when we work with our teams, our staff, our organizations, we have an unspoken understanding: I will complete my part (e.g. the assignment, expectation) and you will do your part (e.g. status report, performance). This is about reciprocity – a social obligation that you will return the favor. However, the Golden Rule isn’t a reciprocal deal because there is no commitment for returned favor. It’s the obligation to treat others (interact with, respect, regard) in a way that you would hope to be treated. However, why do some leaders tweet out negative facts about others? Why do some leaders prevent their teammates opportunity by withholding a job referral? Why do some leaders assume the worst of their staff’s intentions and limit their opportunity for engagement? Why do they not empower? Why do they (you fill in the blank).
The Golden Rule is incredibly important component of leadership. We lead, behave, empower, assume, respect with the utmost intention guided by our self-awareness and deep sense of commitment towards others. We dig into what we hope for ourselves (or our loved ones), recognize our reactive responses and counter balance what initially comes to the surface with intentional action. With this, leadership emerges strong and brilliant. A dear friend and colleague shared her thoughts on this topic with me.
“I’m listening to the Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav so what comes to mind is that all great spiritual traditions I know are grounded in the Golden Rule. A think part of that stems from reminding us to always see the humanity in others. Whenever we give anyone a label (e.g. subordinate, employee, client, contractor, customer) or judgement instead of seeing each person as a person we risk judging them. And when we judge them, we stop being leaders and start being destructive. The golden rule is really about reverence. Reverence for the blessing of the other person and their contribution.”
Its ubuntu, I am because we are.
I get pretty passionate about leadership because with this honor comes responsibility. It requires application of basic human relations principles, and while it is not easy in practice, the tenets are simple. Perhaps harken back to some of the basic childhood advice you were given, or have even offered. Baked within I believe there are undeniable truths about leadership. And if in doubt, check out Chris and Reina Komisarjevsky’s book on PB&J.