Glorious Privilege #8 🌟 Leading from the back 🌟

Most of the leaders I have worked with are there for a reason, and that reason is often a combination of charisma, drive, intellect, and vision. And here lies the rub… Often, leaders choose to lead from the front, charging ahead with the expectation that others will dutifully follow behind. This tactic has many flaws, as I am sure you can work out.

The great leaders understand the power of fostering team autonomy and allowing their members to develop their own personality and rhythm over time. However, this style of leadership is not without its challenges. As Bruce Tuckman’s team development process has taught us, teams go through various stages of growth:

1️⃣ Forming (polite and judgmental)
2️⃣ Storming (functional silos and unchecked challenge)
3️⃣ Norming (establishing cohesion, but still room for improvement)
4️⃣ Performing (excellence achieved!)

The traps are where the leader feels the need to step in too often to resolve disputes or solve problems.

The best leaders focus on:

✨ Setting the vision
✨ Aligning and celebrating the diverse skills within the team
✨ Keeping a watchful eye on the overall direction
✨ Celebrating wins to inspire continued success
✨ Being present but avoiding unnecessary interference

Take a moment to reflect on your own leadership style. Are you guiding your team to be remarkable leaders or directing them?

-Nick