How impactful are you on an average day? In your best state? When you are resisting change? Imagine your most powerful self and one almost impossible vision you hold. Taking a few moments to imagine it is how you tap into your inner power: first your power for change, then the power of leadership.
New global and local challenges demand new approaches to leadership, participation and collaboration. Each of us, and all of us together, holds huge potential, and we need to unlock it and know how to use it. For change to happen in a desired way, we need leadership.
I use Brené Brown’s definition of a leader: anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and has the courage to develop it. Patti Johnson names five obstacles that keep us from starting change: fear of being wrong or inadequate, lack of accountability, assumptions about what matters and what will work, procrastination, and perfectionism. John C. Maxwell adds that change happens when people hurt enough that they have to, learn enough that they want to, or receive enough that they are able to. Momentum supplies the energy for it.
Change is inevitable, but growth is an option. Directing growth is a leadership challenge, and it means moving between levels of leadership. Maxwell describes five:
– Position: People follow because they have to, within the authority of the title. Those who operate only here are bosses, not leaders.
– Permission: People follow because they want to. Leadership rests on relationships, influence and trust. You can love people without leading them, but you cannot lead people well without loving them.
– Production: People follow because of what the leader has achieved. Leaders here create a good work environment and get the job done, and they can become agents of change.
– People Development: Leaders expand their impact by using position, relationships and productivity to grow others into leaders.
– Pinnacle: Leaders develop other leaders to reach level four, building organizations and a legacy. Maxwell holds that only naturally talented leaders reach this level.
You do not move through these levels alone, or only once. Each time you lead different people, you start again at Level 1. If you have already led at Level 3 or 4, you will move up much faster the next time.
Your next step:
Think of a team you lead now.
Which level are you on with them, which of the five obstacles holds you back most, and what would it take to reach the next level?
If you want to be equipped and guided faster, connect with me for a coaching conversation.
References
– Brené Brown, Dare to Lead, Penguin Random House UK, 2018
– Patti Johnson, Make Waves: Be the One to Start Change at Work and in Life, Bibliomotion, 2014
– John C. Maxwell, 5 Levels of Leadership, Center Street, 2013
– Tanja Bogataj, How to Increase Impact by Using the Power for Change and Leadership, BrainzMagazine, 17 February 2022
– Tanja Bogataj, “Leadership in the light of power and service” (in Slovenian), Tax-Fin-Lex portal, 2018
– Tanja Bogataj, “How to lead yourself in challenging times”, BusinessFit Magazine, May 2022
– Tanja Bogataj, “Change & Grow or not to?”, Mind-stretching session, #bepowerfulandfree YouTube Channel, 2022