Take Charge
As a professional consultant, I have witnessed an overabundance of “leadership” in company hierarchy be absolutely clueless as to what being a leader means. They overvalue their title, authority and neglect the true responsibility of leading a team.
Middle and upper management’s responsibility is to oversee their consequent teams, to ensure a safe, smooth and synergistic working environment. Watching a majority of managers, supervisors etc… I have observed the recurring theme of “Below my pay grade.”, on occasion though I have seen the owners or founders of a variety of companies get hands on and help their employees.
When the upper echelon of a company, is willing to do the “dirty” work, alongside their employees, train or coach them, instead of criticise or micromanage them, they difference in atmosphere is staggering.
Having a militaristic background, it’s an easy thing to get accustomed to, leadership barking orders, and the grunts executing the plan. When you look at the overall productivity or functionality of any type of team, the groups that elect their own captain can out-perform a team with poor leadership.
If you are in leadership, you need to take the ownership and accountability of your responsibilities:
You are responsible to support and lead your team
You are accountable for the success or defeat of your subordinates
You are not above your team, work with people
Dereliction is not delegation; If the team is tasked with a job, work together to accomplish it
Assuming a leadership role isn’t easy, it's not meant to be. The common misconception is a leadership role means less work, more pay, and more authority. In reality it should be maintained that is more work, more responsibility, and the pay/authority to compensate and ensure successful productivity.
Take charge of the morale in your teams, their morale will dictate their productivity.
Stay positive!
-Eryc Fawx
