August 20, 2014

Lightening the Load by Daryl Leisey

Last week I attended a simulcast leadership seminar with several of my colleagues from North Group. Throughout the two-day event I had the opportunity to speak with a number of individuals I had not seen for some time. It was good to reconnect.

In those conversations, I found myself asking two questions:

• What was your impression of the previous session’s speaker and content?
• What prompted you to come to this leadership seminar?

A number of those conversations focused on the opportunity the event provided for them as leaders to just sit, listen, and be refreshed or encouraged. It struck me how often we talked of the weight of their leadership roles and the pressure they feel to always “be on.”

It’s unavoidable. The behaviors of leaders are always on display, whether we are in the office or out in public. People are watching.  So it is critical for leaders to make it a priority to find our own personal ways to rest, recharge and renew.

Of course we’ve heard that message many times before. I have a word of encouragement to those who serve under those leaders as well.  Ask yourself: What can I do (or stop doing) to lighten their load?

Consider the following:

• Express appreciation for their leadership
• Avoid engaging in unproductive conversations about them
• Give them grace for not being perfect
• Own your own “stuff”

It starts with me! If you’re reading this, Roger, I probably haven’t said it enough, but I sincerely appreciate your leadership!