Be a Leader, Not a King or Queen

I use this example with people who are growing in their leadership roles.  I don’t like ͞kings and queens. ͟ Kings and queens look about their kingdom and survey everything that is theirs, and they hold it close to their chest:  everything in the realm is the property of the king or queen. To illustrate the concept, I hold my arms out in front of me, and with my fingers interlocking, I then bring my arms to my chest, indicating that all is mine.

A leader opens his or her arms as wide as they can and lets people in.  A leader who opens their territory to all, who will ask for help and allow people to share in the ownership of all the different parts of the kingdom, will have an organization that functions with more openness, will prosper with the help of all, and will have people pulling together to do their best work.

Keep in mind that many new leaders start in the king or queen mold.  They want to know everything and own everything—and all too often they stifle their organization’s working groups.  Often, this approach is the result of the new leader’s own insecurity. Have your confidence in place from the first moment you step in to lead.  Admit what you don’t know and seek advice. Share the strategic focus, be open to allowing folks to own their pieces of the pie and build a team that helps each other.  This is the best way to serve and succeed as a leader.