This article was previously published on LinkedIn.
Leadership styles make or break companies. Why?
Teams reflect leadership.
It doesn't take long to look in the mirror. If you don't have a mirror, it only takes a cup of coffee to ask some teammates to reflect on your history working with people, projects, teams, and companies.
If you're dissatisfied with your company, teams, projects, progress, and output, look in the mirror first. It could be you
No one sees you coming. No one knows where you're going. Teams see you're on a rampage, but don't know how to help. So, they stay out of the way and otherwise ensure damage to themselves and their interests is minimized – hoping you don't swing back around for another go. The general assumption when you are present is a higher probability of storms with damage than rain enabling growth.
Your presence breaks things, sometimes people.
People see where you're going and want to be part of the journey. And because of your plan, communication, and choices, teams who journey with you can be part of an experience that changes in all directions.
Because of you, those who journey with you can make use of the wake you leave behind in a constructive, growing, and useful manner. Your wake changes the company, culture, people, and teams.
Who doesn't love a pleasant afternoon aboard a boat with friends? The gentle hum of the motors barely noticeable, a warm, gentle breeze, the time just between a hot afternoon and dark evening, both without clouds. Sunset.
Leaders who want a sunset cruise with chums enable others to relax. They need only aspire to the level exemplified. No need to rock the boat, make big waves, get out there and jump wake walls, increase skills, or otherwise even get out of the boat. This leadership style is peaceful. People like to be with you knowing that the demands may be low.
Your ripples eventually make contact with other parts of the ecosystem. To what extent change is stimulated, at what velocity or frequency may be variable, even unnoticed.
When there is no vision, mission, set of objectives, or desired outcomes, people do not know why to gather, what to work on together or even why they, or the company, matter. Leaders are looked upon to cast a vision, rally the people, lead the charge, and foster culture. In the absence of present, active leadership, folks tend to look for someone else, somewhere else, where they are recognized, valued, a part of something bigger than themselves.
Your impact on the culture, team, project, and company is negligible. There are no hurricanes, wakes, or ripples. Nothing is happening as a result of your leadership.
What type of teams do you have in your company? They usually reflect leadership.
