I have avoided taking on a managerial role, since the early 2000's. I tried it, and it wasn't exactly for me. That could change, as I grow older, but for now I believe I will remain the reluctant leader....the Sergeant in the trenches, a guide on the side.
I filled out a questionnaire recently on best practices of leaders, when you aren't in a direct managerial/leadership role. It was difficult to sum up the hundreds of ways leadership happens. But the questionnaire asked to summarize and list three things that make the biggest impact. Today, I'll focus on just one... Community.
Every year I pick some form of community involvement...something I can throw myself behind or into as a way to give back to the community that I am a part of. I've spread myself thin in the past, so this year I have picked just two. One is related to a more altruistic charity, the other is more of a way to give back to the Nashville Technology/Business community. This isn't that important to this discussion, but heed my warning....too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Don't take on too much.
Here's the funny part....most facets of a salesperson's approach is focused on one thing...using every moment of your time to generate revenue. Maximize return on time investment. Prioritize that which impacts the bottom line the most, delegate non-revenue generating tasks to others....Quadrants, Covey Time Management, ABC.....that sort of stuff.
So, to switch gears and dedicate a portion of my time with no expectation of personal return can be a bit vertiginous. But, regarding leadership, I believe it is one of the more differentiating ways to showcase a 'best practice"of leadership. Here's a few reasons why:
1. It's Inspirational: Find something that you are passionate about. Truly passionate. As you become more involved, those around you will see that passion. If it moves them, you just became a leader in a way that transcends the day to day grind.
2. It's Transcendent: Above I mention the way passion can touch others in a way that transcends. But, another way community involvement can transcend is by eliminating titles and roles. I've been on committees and task force groups with people holding all sorts of job titles. Lowly sales folk, middle management, C-Level executives....we can suddenly become equals when involved in a community/charity project. The change in dynamic has all sorts of benefits, when one is trying to be a leader. Specifically for leaders, in non-managerial roles...titles are set aside and merit rules.
3. It's Unique: I have led trainings, given presentations to my team, held mentor roles, and advised on best practices. Every non-managerial leader does these sorts of things, and they are the essence of daily leadership. But community/charity involvement can be a bit of icing on the cake that is not always typical.
So here is my simple advise. Set aside what time you can, weekly. Find something you are passionate about...truly passionate. Engage with a goal in mind...a desire on how you want to impact. And the hardest part is to expect absolutely nothing in return....the irony being that you will receive more than you ever could have planned for.
I filled out a questionnaire recently on best practices of leaders, when you aren't in a direct managerial/leadership role. It was difficult to sum up the hundreds of ways leadership happens. But the questionnaire asked to summarize and list three things that make the biggest impact. Today, I'll focus on just one... Community.
Every year I pick some form of community involvement...something I can throw myself behind or into as a way to give back to the community that I am a part of. I've spread myself thin in the past, so this year I have picked just two. One is related to a more altruistic charity, the other is more of a way to give back to the Nashville Technology/Business community. This isn't that important to this discussion, but heed my warning....too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Don't take on too much.
Here's the funny part....most facets of a salesperson's approach is focused on one thing...using every moment of your time to generate revenue. Maximize return on time investment. Prioritize that which impacts the bottom line the most, delegate non-revenue generating tasks to others....Quadrants, Covey Time Management, ABC.....that sort of stuff.
So, to switch gears and dedicate a portion of my time with no expectation of personal return can be a bit vertiginous. But, regarding leadership, I believe it is one of the more differentiating ways to showcase a 'best practice"of leadership. Here's a few reasons why:
1. It's Inspirational: Find something that you are passionate about. Truly passionate. As you become more involved, those around you will see that passion. If it moves them, you just became a leader in a way that transcends the day to day grind.
2. It's Transcendent: Above I mention the way passion can touch others in a way that transcends. But, another way community involvement can transcend is by eliminating titles and roles. I've been on committees and task force groups with people holding all sorts of job titles. Lowly sales folk, middle management, C-Level executives....we can suddenly become equals when involved in a community/charity project. The change in dynamic has all sorts of benefits, when one is trying to be a leader. Specifically for leaders, in non-managerial roles...titles are set aside and merit rules.
3. It's Unique: I have led trainings, given presentations to my team, held mentor roles, and advised on best practices. Every non-managerial leader does these sorts of things, and they are the essence of daily leadership. But community/charity involvement can be a bit of icing on the cake that is not always typical.
So here is my simple advise. Set aside what time you can, weekly. Find something you are passionate about...truly passionate. Engage with a goal in mind...a desire on how you want to impact. And the hardest part is to expect absolutely nothing in return....the irony being that you will receive more than you ever could have planned for.
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