Switching things up this month to share a thought-provoking exchange I had while facilitating a group leadership development session.
I mentioned the concept of being a Multiplier - you know - the kind of leader who amplifies the smarts and capabilities of those around them, inspiring their teams to deliver results that surpass expectations.
Someone like…Ted Lasso! (Is there an HR person who hasn’t referenced Ted Lasso in the last five years? 😂)
Normally, it lands for people, but this time, someone said:
“Ted Lasso?!? He’s a loser. He lost the big game. So what if he was a nice guy? He’s a lousy leader because he didn’t do the job he was hired to do.
If my team doesn’t perform, I’m fired. So, I’m not interested in being friends with my team, I’m interested in them getting the job done.”
So, is Ted Lasso a Good Leader or Not?
As someone who works with many goal-driven (no pun intended) CEOs and executives, I’ve found that when we’re in chasing-the-finish-line-mode, it’s easy to miss the value of Ted’s leadership style.
Even with my flavor of practical & value-building HR, I’m here to tell you that Ted is a remarkable leader because he understands that bringing out the best in your people is the most effective way to get the job done. Period.
It’s not about being friends; it’s about showing others that they are valued and respected and that they are infinitely capable of accomplishing great things. Those are the environments where innovative ideas are born, complex problems are solved, and results soar above expectations.
6 Guideposts to Help You Become a Leader Who Is a Multiplier
Here’s what you can do to be this kind of leader: (I’ll spare you the Ted Lasso examples, but if you know, you know 😉)
SET THE BAR HIGH: Make your expectations clear. Your team wants to know the end goal and how you’ll keep score so they can figure out how they’ll get there.
EMBRACE THE CONTRARIANS: Surround yourself with people who’ll challenge your thinking and bring diverse perspectives - watch how your strategy and decisions improve.
STAY HUMAN: Connecting with those around you as a person first is the foundation for strong relationships that make everything else you’re working to accomplish possible, especially the tough stuff.
CELEBRATE WINS: This is most important when times are tough, look for the small things to celebrate right now and build momentum to celebrate the big wins later.
BENCH TROUBLEMAKERS: Prima donnas destroy team performance. Don’t tolerate the high performer who leaves a trail of unpleasant situations in his wake. Their greatness never makes up for the damage they do to those around them.
REORGANIZE THE TEAM: Your most important job as a leader is to make sure you have the right folks on your team, in the right roles, at the right times. Keeping the team organized in the correct way for success requires you to pay attention, understand signals that things aren’t working, and occasionally, make the tough call to move some players.
If your fundamentals are wrong, sometimes you will lose before you can win. Take those moments to learn from the experience and rebuild. It can require great patience that may extend past sales cycles or fiscal years, but leadership is a continuous journey.
And the best leaders will…
Does this topic intrigue you? Want to book a Leading from the Middle Session for your team? Reach out to discuss a tailored speaking session or workshop for you and your organization.
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