only too aware that an effective team on a high mountain relies on honest communication. Having a shared purpose, a culture of can-do and want-to; rather than politics or one-up-man-ship. Encouraging faith in each other, encouraging trust, and an ability to share weaknesses as well as strengths. An awareness that vulnerability creates bonds, and where there are bonds there is strength. A determination to make it together, where humility is a virtue and kindness really matters.
What a key and all too true reality. A culture of 'can-do' and 'want-to'; rather than politics or one-up-man-ship is so vital to a healthy organization.
I often come across individuals who have heard similar lessons and encouragements but who have still not captured the truth of the matter. They say things like, "Ooooo! If I can make people feel like they 'can-do' or motivate them to 'want-to' then I can get that promotion!"
Ironically I believe that these types of persons are finished before they even get out the gate. In order for individuals to have a 'can-do/want-to' attitude, you have to allow them to actually do something. And not just do something, but to actually own the project, make the calls, accept the responsibility for failure, but be encouraged to try, try again, not with an "I told you so" finger, but with a pat on the back saying, "Great effort! Let's see what we can do this time around!"
Often the reason why this is so hard to do as a leader is that you have to let go of something very difficult to let go of...pride. You have to let someone else get the praise if things go well. Someone else gets the spotlight. Someone else gets to have fun with the project that you would like to have fun with.
This sounds like an obvious point I know, but you'd be surprised how often leaders cripple their compatriots because they are bitter over the fact that someone else came up with a better idea and was successful.
Often leaders can be trapped in thinking that other people's success will show their inability. After all, why didn't the leader figure that out or make that happen, isn't (s)he the leader? But the simple fact of the matter is that leadership is more about finding the people who are far more gifted at a skill than you are.
In fact, if leadership in any organization is to be truly effective they will do nothing but continue to find people that they can bring on who are bigger and better at skills than they are. In doing this there is nothing but a can-do and want-to attitude that is constructed since everyone has been brought on under the expectation that they in fact can do and want to.
