One of the single largest issues I face as CEO is overcoming the challenges that arise when people think of themselves as leaders or want to be seen as leaders – and they don’t have any followers.
Leadership isn’t a title. It’s an earned right of responsibility (and influence) that comes by exhibiting the behaviors that make people want to follow. Arlin Sorensen, a fellow blogger in the industry and friend of mine, recently shared a list of ways you can tell if you’re not a leader. Here’s my take on five of his key points that I felt would be important to share with you:
1. No one’s following you.
In my first blog post, I shared my definition of leadership: A leader is someone who has followers. It’s that simple. Of course, the key is exhibiting behaviors that attract followers. It’s not about the number of people who report to you, but rather the number who look to you. Some of the best leaders in our organization do not hold the traditional titles, but they have influence over outcomes because of their following. It’s the people who follow you, but do not report to you that validate you are a leader.
2. You think you need to be in charge to have influence.
Real leaders have influence before they ever have the title and never need a title to be strong leaders. We have leaders – with strong followings – throughout our organization who do not hold any supervisory positions. Some of them have been promoted to manager because of that leadership. Others may never gain the title and they prefer it that way.
3. You are content.
Leaders are always looking ahead – and around corners. An element of paranoia exists. Being innovative and a leader in any industry require leaders to think beyond this fiscal year or the opportunities currently being explored. At Marco, we have not been content providing only copy services…or just serving the local St. Cloud market…or raising sales revenue without increasing profits. That means getting comfortable being uncomfortable and taking risks. I’d rather fail than never had tried at all.
4. You find it easier to blame others for your circumstances than take responsibility.
Good leaders don’t take the credit and don’t pass on the blame. I shared this as one of the top promotable behaviors in an early blog and I’ve said it many times. I am told by my team that I do a pretty good job at this (by the way, if one of my teammates is reading this and you don’t think this is true, let me know). As CEO, ultimately it is my responsibility for the performance of our organization, not just when everything is going well. Leaders are willing to take the blame and carry the responsibility for what happens.
5. You are not creating leaders.
True leaders develop more leaders – whether it’s in their job description or not. A successful organization is not run by one good leader. It takes many. Leaders take the time to coach, mentor and exemplify the essential traits and behaviors of leadership.
In my career, I have had the pleasure of watching some of the greatest leaders in our organization grow their followership and influence, often without trying. Some have never aspired to have any official title, but that does not make them any less of a leader. So regardless of your title, look behind you. Is anybody following?
