There is different leadership styles and each has it’s effectiveness.
Self awareness helps most lean into their strengths and find ways to deal with their blind spots and areas they aren’t as proficient. After all, we can’t be the best of everything to everyone. It just doesn’t exist.
I’ve always admired the quiet leaders that allow the best to do their best and recognize their contributions publicly.
Mistakes are just an opportunity. However, repeated mistakes need to be addressed with accountability.
Being able to adapt to the team and being able to listen to them, be empathetic and encourage them to contribute, recognize their contribution and giving them responsibility for their part earns a lot of respect from them and earns more respect as the team hears the accolades from subordinates and through the ranks.
I’ve often been seen as someone that was going to be fired or promoted for the same actions or approach.
Making decisions with valuable input from the collective, I was willing to live with either consequence and always rewarded positively.
Early in my career in a call centre environment, I’d often get callers asking for my manager. I’d offer them a deal. Let me hear their concern and if I couldn’t assist, I’d transfer them immediately. But, give me the chance first. Never had anyone say no. Never had anyone ask for a manager. And after enough calls, never had anyone ask to speak to my manager. My colleagues received calls from others asking to speak to me. Even after they spoke to a manager, they would ask for me.
I ended up being director of the call centre in 2 years. Started as a young part time temp agent. Within 4 years, I was director of 3 sites, Montreal, Toronto and Tempe AZ.
I took a role in sales as the bean counters looked to reduce head count in 2006. Love my job outside of management now. No HR crap. Just my targets and working from home.
Edit: Even in my current role, my peers and management look to me as the leader and influencer of the team. My input is value because I understand the stakeholders and I take a position based on what the business is looking for. So everyone knows the ups and downs of each approach. But, whatever the bumps in the road are, everyone gets it and is willing to move ahead.
No one has the best solution or offer for everyone. It’s knowing the client and their needs and deciding if the value proposition makes sense for that client. Makes it easier to qualify the client. Walk away when it doesn’t. I’ve had previous prospects I’ve walked away from approach me for advice. I give it to them for free. My network of opportunities continues to grow and evolve daily.
I’m just a schmuck that didn’t graduate college and seem to do alright. I’ve slipped on a few banana peels along the way but, no regrets.
Make your own path. Learn things. Grow. Prosper.
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