How to be a great follower
08-Oct-2009
Great leaders have teams of great followers to support them. At some point we all have to be followers. If you want to be great, here are some suggestions inspired by a blog post on Great Leadership
Be an “A” Player
Deliver performance well beyond the minimum standards required of your role, and let your behaviors role model the company core values. You must both model the values and exhibit top performance to be considered an “A” Player.
Think and act strategically
Get involved in your company’s strategic planning process, and show you want to play an integral part in executing it. Don’t just do your job – that is just ‘table stakes’ - that is what you get paid to do. In addition to dealing with day to day issues - you must continually ask, “What can I do this week to improve my area of the business, and help the company achieve our strategic priorities?”
Prioritize your own work
Agree with your manger what your key action priorities are each quarter. Every week ask yourself, “What is the #1 thing I am going to do this week that will contribute toward me achieving my quarterly priorities?” Share this with your manager and get their agreement on what your #1 thing is, and make sure you nail it every week.
Don’t bring problems - bring solutions
Don’t delegate upwards. Think through the issues yourself and consider a range of options and their implications. Present the options to your manager - along with your recommendation as to what you think is the best solution and why.
Admit your mistakes
Take responsibility for mistakes and don’t make excuses or blame others. Tell your manager what happened, what you’re doing to fix it, and what you’ve learned so that it won’t happen again.
Love what you do – or do something else
Positive attitudes are attractive. Conversely, if you don’t like what you do, you will infect everyone else with your bad attitude. You’re not doing anyone a favor by hanging on to a job you don’t like. Life is too short. Find a new role or a new company that you can be passionate about.
Don’t be a “yes man” or “yes woman”
Having a positive attitude doesn’t mean you should always agree with your manager. Secure leaders welcome debate and disagreement from their followers in the interests of making better quality decisions. Debate your point of view constructively, in the spirit of making the very best decision for the company. You may not always get your way, but you will be respected.
Embrace change
What worked yesterday may not be the most effective way to do business in the future. Face the reality that change is going to happen with you - or without you. Get involved in the change process. Be an early adopter – not an anchor.
Build a great personal brand
“A” Players obtain positive recommendations for their performance and character from their colleagues, clients, suppliers and partners – in fact from everyone they deal with. Reputations are built one day at a time. What is your reputation? Where is the evidence for it?
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Stephen Lynch
Chief Operating Officer - Global Operations
RESULTS.com
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