My Friend’s Response
My friend is a seasoned, successful leader. He has lots of experience in his field. In fact, he is an expert. None of those things stopped a new young buck in his company from berating my friend, and telling him “what he should do” during a team meeting. The encounter was inappropriate, and the seasoned leader had every reason to respond in anger and to put this arrogant young leader in his place. He could have focused on how embarrassing it was to be dressed down in front of his peers and supervisor. He could have become defensive and justified his position to the young leader. He did none of those things.
This leader realized that there was an opportunity to invest in someone who did not know what he did not know. Instead of focusing on his own feelings, he chose to lead. This began a journey of investing in his younger peer in order to help him develop and grow as a leader. His plan was to do something that seemed counter-intuitive. He decided to serve him. He took him to lunch, asked questions and listened. It didn’t take long to discover needs both professionally and personally in the young man’s life.
But it did not stop there. Once the senior leader understood the needs, he created an action plan. This included taking time, energy and effort to offer assistance in a variety of ways. The result is that the younger leader has newfound respect for his senior teammate. They now work together with effectiveness that is noticeable by all.
I hope that I would respond the way my friend did to this situation. I am going to use his example as a reminder and an inspiration to check my responses and choices in my leadership. My friend is living proof that strong leadership skills exist today, and that servant leadership really does make a difference.
Larry
Check out our latest episode on the Crossing the Line Podcast:
Just Listen - Dr. Yvette Rice, Part 2
