Sneak Peek From Tom Goodlet’s Upcoming Book, Listen Like Jesus (Working Title)
Early on in my leadership journey, I had to decide what I wanted to get in trouble for. I knew I didn’t want to get into trouble by playing it safe. Those types of problems lack luster. I remember thinking, do I want to get in trouble for trusting people too little or too much? If I were to trust people too little, then this would be a path that would easily lead me to the mistake of micromanagement and power plays in my leadership. While this might have the allure of seeming immediate results, I knew there would be a lot of long-term consequences. In addition, the choice to trust people too little would inevitably be a lonely journey. I would have to separate myself significantly from my coworkers and subordinates to avoid the problems that come with being friends with those I lead. While I have seen some decent leaders decide to draw this distance line between themselves and others lower on the organizational chart, I didn’t like the problems of separation and ignorance that naturally come with it.
I appreciate the response someone in leadership once gave me when I asked, “Does it have to be lonely at the top?” Their response was, “If you think it has to be lonely at the top, then you really have not made it to the top.” They were sharing that there are better ways to learn to lead, where loneliness does not have to be a consequence of your leadership. And if you don’t know what those ways are, then you still have a lot to learn. I fully agree with this statement and idea.
So often, I encounter leaders who dismiss their poor leadership skills as an “either-or” situation. They will say things like, “I have to be tough on my people or else they will walk all over me.” Or “I can’t become friends with my coworkers, or they won’t respect me.” Or, “Somebody has to be the bad guy.” Or “If I want it done right, then I have to do it myself.” Or, “This is the only way it can be done.” Or, “It can’t be done.” If you find yourself saying or believing any of these statements, my friend, you are nowhere near the top of your leadership potential. Great leaders learn and understand that there are numerous “yes and” options available. I am not saying these options come without difficulties and problems. I am just saying they come with overall better problems.
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