Leadership 101: We’re Not That Big of a Deal

Scripture

“For by the grace that has been given to me I say to every one of you; Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:3)

Thought

In the Stay The Course Academy we’ve spent a lot of time focusing on the difference between a transformational leader and a transactional leader. It’s not that all leaders become card-carrying members of one group, but rather that our attitudes and behaviors will fluctuate and flow between the two groups.

One practical sign that we’re operating in a transactional state is the frequent use of personal pronouns. It’s “MY staff” “MY team” “MY program” “I felt like…” over and over. Sure, there can be some ownership of responsibility with talk like this. But, more often than not it reveals the role the leader thinks they possess.

A transactional leader believes to their core that if they left, the whole operation would crumble. If they moved on to a new role outside of the school, the company, the business then the entire thing would fall a part because they weren’t there to lead it. They may even quietly like the idea that their absence would mean “certain failure” for the team. When a leader has this view what they’re really saying is…

“I am a really big deal”

It’s a dangerous place to be when we position ourselves at the center of the success of the entire operation.

The truth is, when a leader thinks they’re a big deal they’re really operating out of extreme insecurity. A confident, secure leader doesn’t show up to be told they’re a big deal. They show up to make others feel like a big deal - (a task that is impossible for an insecure leader.)

The extremely secure leader has all of the weight of leadership, all of the expectations, all the pressure, all of the “power” and yet still knows they aren’t that big of a deal. They’re just another guy or gal. Just another teammate.

For the transformational leader, it’s “OUR team” “OUR staff” “OUR program” “WE felt like…”

When we are operating out of true humility it will allow our transformational leadership core to defect all the credit when things are going well, and willingly step up to take the blame when things are going bad. When a leader has this view what they’re really saying is..

“These people mean so much to me.”

Call to Action

Do something today to position yourself as “just another teammate.” Clean the locker-room, give some teachers a break, take out the trash, rake the field.

Serve your team this week!