Great Boss? Great Leader?
How do you lead your organisation? Does everyone look to you to solve the current problem? Do you jump in and use your ‘leadership position’ to solve every query no matter how small?
Are you a great boss or great leader?
Recently I was part of a group of 10 leaders and managers of large organisations who had a problem to solve. From the initial confusion the problem was solved by a small part of the group who took control.
Result? The majority of the group felt that the job had been done but they played little or no part in it. There had been little collaboration, consultation or communication. Job effectiveness 6/10, job satisfaction for the group 3/10, boss/leader responsibility 9/10, likelihood of whole group participation in another task 0/10.
Making a difference
A second problem was posed. This time more people in the group were included in solving the problem. Communication and consultation improved, opinions and suggestions were valued. There was a collaborative atmosphere. The majority of the group felt valued, their ideas mattered and had perhaps contributed in some way to the final outcome. Self esteem of all group members was high.
Result? Job effectiveness 7/10 Job satisfaction for the group 8/10, boss/leader responsibility 5/10, likelihood of whole group participation in another task 10/10.
Great bosses boss, do everything for everybody and burn out.
Great leaders lead, empower and have a life!
Irene Ross wrote:
I am struck by the similarities between your experience and the Critical Skills training currently being promoted in Moray. As well as small group activities, there are a few whole group challenges. The ‘leaders’ who emerge from these challenges are those able to lead without being great bosses, those who facilitate and make everyone feel valued. If we promote this approach in the classroom then we should surely, as school managers/leaders, walk the talk as we lead in the school. Inclusion is not just a classroom issue.
Posted on 16-Jul-07 at 8:53 am | Permalink