If you are not uncomfortable as a leader, it’s almost certain you’re not reaching your potential as a leader. ~Brené Brown
For the most part, I am profoundly comfortable in my leadership role. Which begs the question, where am I coming up short? Where am I shirking my leadership duties? Where should I expand my sphere of influence to increase my level of discomfort? Bluntly, into what pile of crap do I need to step?
I connect well with those in frontline leadership roles, with those led by frontline leaders. And there is comfort at the peer level. I am very comfortable leading down and horizontally. The direction of discomfort then is upward, is leading those at higher tiers of authority in the organization.
I didn’t want to see that I was working at less than my potential. Didn’t want to face the facts that I was selling the organization short and myself short. Thankfully, I have a direct manager that sees the larger potential pictures and is pushing me into the uncomfortable.
I ask myself, what about my perceptions of senior leaders, of myself, do I need to adjust to view them not as obstacles but as allies in my effort to help teams become high performing? How do I need to adjust my vision? How do I need to adjust my approach?
Recognizing my deep seated mistrust of authority was a huge first step. What’s next?
Senior level management wants product out fast so they can satisfy customers and exceed revenue targets. My passion is helping teams move from ordinary to high performing within the context of valued people. The key will be helping Senior leadership understand the connection between people feeling valued and high performance. I must learn to speak their language so the connection can be made. First, I must step into their world and learn to trust.
What pile of crap do you need to step into?
