BECOMING A LEADER PEOPLE LOVE TO FOLLOW
by Marlene Giebler
Retail Officer and Banking Center Manager
“There’s a big difference between a leader who is popular and one who is respected”.
Craig Groeschel
During this COVID pandemic I have found that being a good leader has become even more of importance than anytime during my 37 years of managing people. I recently listened to and shared with my peers a podcast from Craig Groeschel that inspired me to focus on being a leader who is respected. In this article I would like to share a few key takeaways from the podcast that I believe everyone will benefit from.
When a team serves a great and trusting leader they feel valued; they feel inspired; and they feel empowered. As leaders we need to focus on having qualities that will guide us to become a leader people love to follow. Below are these 4 qualities.
A Heart to Care involves taking the time to say to your staff: I Notice and You Matter! The #1 reason people leave companies is because they feel undervalued. So, exercise this way of valuing your team: Appreciate more than you think you should. Then double it!
A Passion to Inspire is different than motivation. Motivation may be urging people to do something they don’t necessarily want to do but inspiration is more about pulling out the best of what’s in your employees. Being an inspired leader doesn’t always mean giving impassioned speeches. Inspired leadership means being optimistic, having a posture of humility, setting a clear vision, consistently following through and being empathetic—these are all inspiring to the people around you.
A Willingness to Empower involves unleashing higher performance through empowerment, not through command and control. If you think you need to control everything, you are the one getting in the way of progress. When you delegate authority, freedom and decision making power, you create owners. You can have control or you can have growth, but you can’t have both!
The Courage to be Real, Humble and Vulnerable. Leadership is not about power, authority, or pride.
Your posture as a leader should be the first thing you work on—be authentic and vulnerable, be understanding and kind, expect a lot and work hard.
Here are 3 questions to ask yourself to be your guide to becoming a leader that is respected.
- When asked, most employees said they wished their leaders were better at “Leadership – where are you taking me?” and “Emotional Intelligence – how are you treating me?” On a scale of 1-10, rate how much importance and effort you put into Leadership and Emotional Intelligence. If you don’t know, ask trusted people around you.
- Exercise: Find three people to practice “I notice you. You matter.” with this week. It may feel awkward at first. That’s ok – by third time, it won’t be so awkward.
- The best way to find out if you can trust someone…is to trust them. What things are you holding onto and controlling that you should entrust to someone else? Invest in someone else’s leadership by letting them own projects, think of new ideas, and lead others.
by Marlene Giebler
Retail Officer and Banking Center Manager
Central Bank of the Ozarks
502 W Mt. Vernon
Nixa, MO 65714
Phone: 417-841-4219
Fax: 417-725-5592
www.centralbankozarks.net
marlene.giebler@centralbank.