Weak managers hide behind powerful. Wimpy leaders fear their own opinions. Teams can’t follow pass through. Be inspired by your boss. Understand their vision. Then, make it your own.
Never play, “my boss says.” Copycats don’t inspire vision, build trust, motivate greatness, or develop anyone.
Don’t enable teams to pull the “boss says” lever.
As Kouzes and Posner explain, “If the words you speak are not your words but someone else’s, you will not, in the long-term, be able to be consistent in word and deed. You will not have the integrity to lead.” -Kouzes & Posner, The Leadership Challenge
Watch a “boss sayser” closely. They likely wimp out in other ways too. Don’t count on them to tell the truth, up down or sideways.
Great leaders don’t play games.
Own Your Words & Actions
When the decision is unpopular or you disagree, it’s tempting to credit or blame those above. Don’t. Your team trusts you. Your boss is scary. Your bosses boss is even scarier. Big titles feel scary from afar.
- Understand
- Ask questions
- Voice concerns
- Work through your apprehension
- Listen
- Share pros and cons
- Own it
- Do what you say
I’m reading the 5th edition of The Leadership Challenge. Actually listening to the audio book.
What Kouzes and Posner are saying is be authentic.
Steve, authenticity is so vital.
The leadership failures and challenges you present are all too familiar. Keep them coming; they are great reminders to all of us of what constitutes the differences between “good” and “bad” bosses.
Ed, thanks so much. So great to have you in the LGL community.
What I’m getting from this post is that if you take ownership of your organization’s vision (which should match your boss’s), you don’t need to say “the boss said”. The team will know it’s a shared one. Great post, Karin!
Really enjoyed this post, Karin. Timely.
Lily, Exactly. Ownership and Authenticiy. Thaks so much.
Carrie, thanks so much.