Deanna wasn't flashy. In fact, an outsider wouldn't say she had the "leader" look; she didn't worry if her clothes weren't designer label, or if her nails got chipped while helping her daughter with a school project. The meetings she led weren't outwardly impressive either. To the naked eye, Deanna was just an average manager, who happened to have a passion to serve others and a real desire to see them succeed.
Interestingly, every organization Deanna works for generates above average results over time. Little by little, every team she leads grows, excels and ultimately becomes a stronger team. She has been responsible for helping organizations create off-the-chart business results. What is it about her?
Deanna and others like her seem to follow the motto: "Inch by inch, row by row, I'm going to make this garden grow." She's like the batter who steps up to the plate day after day, week after week, year after year, and slowly develops an impressive lifetime batting average.
Focusing on What Matters
These leaders have no need or intent to impress, but are focused on what really matters: Meeting after meeting, interaction after interaction, they step up to the plate. The untrained eye wouldn't notice the difference in just one meeting or in one day, or even in one team member, because the margin of change may be so small. (.13 seconds or 11 centimeters, or one person 1% more engaged, 2% more on a roll, 3% more creative…it all adds up.) These successful leaders build their people so sublimely that, in some cases, the individual doesn't even realize that they're growing. When these small changes come together, teams then have the ability to accomplish more than they ever dreamt possible.
Do you think Deanna knows what an incredible leader she is? Probably not. Because her focus is on the team and their strengths and abilities, she is unable to see that it is her management style that allows those talents to come to the surface. As a bonus, because she is so approachable and sincere, her employees seek her help and support. They, unlike most teams, do not fear change.
How will you help a colleague or an employee become 2% more on-a-roll or 2% more creative? What questions can you ask that will allow them to see what is going well and the results that they are creating? What would happen if you did that for two employees? Ten employees? Your entire department? The possibilities are endless!
What kind of leader are you? Are you the forceful type or do you lead "Deanna style"? Are you a combination of both? From observing Deanna, I've learned three key lessons:
1. Little steps make the greatest impact and generate sustainable growth.
While drastic change can cause fear among even the most confident people, little changes are not as frightening. Eventually, these small steps gradually add up to what turns out to be tremendous change. Not only can the growth end up being drastic, but also it's often sustainable because the behaviors or actions become habitual over time.
2. It's the purest sign of altruism.
Let's face it---you may never be as famous as Bill Gates, and kids may not read about you in history books one day, but by building those around you (even marginally), you can make a difference in the lives of many people. The greatest leaders aren't those who lead for recognition or reward, but for the satisfaction in knowing that they helped someone else evolve into a happier and more successful individual. Even more significant, what effect would leading "Deanna style" have at home? Imagine the value of parents who-day after day, week after week, year after year-are dedicated to building the confidence and greatness of their children.
3. Patience is truly a virtue.
Yes, it's a cliché, but in this case it couldn't be more true. Would it be easier to swoop into a situation, take charge and "fix everything" than to build each individual one step at a time and guide them in discovering the answers themselves? Absolutely. Leading "Deanna style" requires resisting the temptation to take over and do something yourself when someone is taking too long. It requires having to think about the right questions that allow individuals to reach their own conclusions and create their own action plan toward change.
What will you do with each second that is given to you? Remember, for Olympic athletes, a fraction of a second can mean the difference between going home a gold medal champion and just going home.
Let the games begin!
