Disciplined organizational leadership was recently demonstrated for the entire world to see in Brazil. Germany is the deserved 2014 World Cup champion. It was the team’s dominance of Brazil in the semis, however, that exemplified how unselfishness can produce unprecedented results.
The Brazilian team is comprised of the world’s best professional players. Yet, even the greatest individual talent in the world was no match for the German squad that methodically executed a well-designed game plan resulting in a 7-1 victory. The clear difference between the two teams was a we vs. me approach.
Leaders in businesses can learn a lot from successful sports teams.
To increase one’s power and influence a strong leader must give power and influence away. By relying on team members to do their part, strong leaders not only build their credibility but also develop the competence and confidence of those they serve.
Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner in their book Credibility – How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It wrote this.
“Leaders put the guiding principles of the organization ahead of all else and then strive to live by them. They are the first to do what has been agreed upon. In serving a purpose, leaders strengthen credibility by demonstrating that they are not in it for themselves; instead they have the interests of the institution, department or team and its constituents at heart.”
Despots and Dictators (egomaniacs) all eventually produce the same outcome – destruction.
Leadership is more about giving than taking. It’s a continual commitment to helping others become the best that they can be. True leaders are “selfishly” focused on the collective benefit vs. their own personal agenda. No leader succeeds in isolation.
Business is a team sport. By building strong leaders at all levels, the team will succeed.
If trust can be defined as being consistent and predictable, in what ways can you build trust over the next 30, 60 or 90 days?
How will these behaviors build your credibility as a leader?
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