I recently started reading a book, Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek. I'm only a few chapters in, but one thing that has stood out so far in this book is a thought I thought worth sharing today. It's the thought considering those for whom the leader cares.
I would suggest that we often think of the leader (in whatever kind of organization) as the one to whom others answer. Our thought of leadership tends to be one that looks down from above. By that, I mean that the leader looks at those beneath him/her and gives them guidance and direction in what to do. Those beneath him/her respond by doing what the leader says, so that the leader is pleased with what they do. In this type of situation, others are doing what they do to serve the leader.
Sinek, though, really hits home with a different idea. The leader is the one who is serving the people beneath him/her. The leader looks to care for the people who are in the organization, making sure that their needs are met. These needs are not only the proper equipping for the roles they play, but also include the need of feeling as though they are a vital part of the organization. They need to feel respected and valued. They need the leader to recognize what their needs are beyond the work environment, and then strive to meet those needs as possible. In other words, the leader serves the people.
I haven't read any particular studies on this, but I would imagine that if I did, I would see that the research would greatly demonstrate that leaders who serve those who work under them work to give greater effort when they perceive that they are valued, needed, and that their needs are important to the leader and the organization. Think about it. Where would you feel more valued, in a situation in which the leader sought to get as much out of you, didn't relate with you, and viewed you as replaceable, or a situation in which the leader intentionally asked how things were going and actively worked to make changes to care for your expressed needs?
Caring for those who work for you, and even those who work alongside as equals, goes a long way toward building a healthy, strong and productive work environment. In your various roles, how can you look to better serve those with whom you work, or those who report to you?
I would suggest that we often think of the leader (in whatever kind of organization) as the one to whom others answer. Our thought of leadership tends to be one that looks down from above. By that, I mean that the leader looks at those beneath him/her and gives them guidance and direction in what to do. Those beneath him/her respond by doing what the leader says, so that the leader is pleased with what they do. In this type of situation, others are doing what they do to serve the leader.
Sinek, though, really hits home with a different idea. The leader is the one who is serving the people beneath him/her. The leader looks to care for the people who are in the organization, making sure that their needs are met. These needs are not only the proper equipping for the roles they play, but also include the need of feeling as though they are a vital part of the organization. They need to feel respected and valued. They need the leader to recognize what their needs are beyond the work environment, and then strive to meet those needs as possible. In other words, the leader serves the people.
I haven't read any particular studies on this, but I would imagine that if I did, I would see that the research would greatly demonstrate that leaders who serve those who work under them work to give greater effort when they perceive that they are valued, needed, and that their needs are important to the leader and the organization. Think about it. Where would you feel more valued, in a situation in which the leader sought to get as much out of you, didn't relate with you, and viewed you as replaceable, or a situation in which the leader intentionally asked how things were going and actively worked to make changes to care for your expressed needs?
Caring for those who work for you, and even those who work alongside as equals, goes a long way toward building a healthy, strong and productive work environment. In your various roles, how can you look to better serve those with whom you work, or those who report to you?
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