23 Comments to “Personal Integrity: Leadership and Taking Turns”

1. October 29th, 2007 at 6:45 am
   Robyn said

   Yes, Liz, otherwise you’d never get to see diverse gifts in actions. Others don’t lead like you and so the variety is enlightening, too. On the other hand, I would not want you to step down for too long because what you bring at the top is so very rich! You have the essence of it in the “give” and “take” between speaking and listening. :-)

2. October 29th, 2007 at 6:49 am
   ME Strauss said

   Hi Robyn!
   It’s a thought I’ve spent a lot of time thinking. It works on a small scale, but would I want it to work if my life depended upon it? Hmmm. Consulting the group is one thing, but maybe I’d want the leader to keep leading — I’d gladly let him or her have my turn. :)

3. October 29th, 2007 at 6:52 am
   Robert Hruzek said

   Hi Liz! Hey, as long as you’re going where no one else is - then keep leading!

   However, one trait of a great leader is the ability to raise up new ones. And sometimes, it’s good to step back and let them try their wings out.

   But still… they’re not going where you’re going since after all, they’re their own person, with their own goals, hopes, dreams and aspirations. Sooner or later, your paths will diverge (and that’s good! As Robyn mentioned, diversity is the wonder of life.)

   So you keep going… then do it again!

4. October 29th, 2007 at 6:56 am
   ME Strauss said

   Hi Robert!
   It’s an interesting problem to me! I wonder if some folks hand over leadership to lesser folks out of habit/training, because they learned to take turns when they were children, rather than because it’s the right choice at the moment.

5. October 29th, 2007 at 6:56 am
   Karin H. said

   However, one trait of a great leader is the ability to raise up new ones

   Can I add something to your excellent observation Robert?
   A great leader also knows when it’s his/her time to learn from others and because he/she has been a great leader he/she believes in the team members and knows whom to choose to lead/teach next.

   That’s two-way-traffic that comes with great leadership - as is my personal experience over the last few months ;-)

   Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

6. October 29th, 2007 at 7:00 am
   Robert Hruzek said

   Liz- what Karin said! (Couldn’t have said it better, Karin - good one!)

7. October 29th, 2007 at 7:02 am
   ME Strauss said

   It’s so cool being here. I just love the way you all think!

8. October 29th, 2007 at 8:20 am
   Robyn said

   You’re really at the helm Liz and I love the way you’ve created so many forums where many voices are heard, Open Mic, SOB’s, SOB Cafe, BAD bloggers, and comments. I think folks like the fact that you’re a humble leader and do not have to lift yourself above others. Each person brings a new slant and adds more zest to ideas.

9. October 29th, 2007 at 8:23 am
   pelf said

   When I was small, I let my sister do/pick/take/eat first. Only then it would be my turn.

   Now that I’m grown up, I see myself allowing others to go/do/take first. And it doesn’t hurt me a bit UNLESS somebody is brought up to NOT give way!

10. October 29th, 2007 at 8:31 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Robyn!
    All of the thinking we do raises all up a notch. It’s fun to be a part and to watch. I learn so much. :)

11. October 29th, 2007 at 8:58 am
    Robert Hruzek said

    Just the fact that you let some of us have your podium every now and then… it says volumes about your own self-assurance and leadership skills! We truly appreciate it!

    Like pelf says above, it not only doesn’t hurt a bit, it’s also a part of growing as a leader! (One of the reasons you stand out head and shoulders above, and why we all appreciate you so much!)

12. October 29th, 2007 at 9:26 am
    Kusani said

    Good morning, folks. =)

    I have a different point of view on this than most so far, it seems. I don’t think a leader should ever stop being a leader. Granted, it will be necessary to step down temporarily when the situation or followers call for it… but, in my opinion, a leader is a leader in their mind and heart for a good reason. They have the passion, the skill, and the compassion to deftly lead others. All the same, that doesn’t mean they have to be in strict control all the time.

    Even if an alpha wolf gets displaced in her own pack, odds are she’s going to wind up the leader of a new pack. I find much the same occurring in humans, and I think the shuffling about is a very beneficial thing. Perhaps you’ve led one group as far as they’re willing to go and it’s time to move on - but you still wind up being a leader, sooner or later, in one of the later groups you join. Humans are social animals, and we tend to have roles we prefer and do well in.

    Just my two-point-five cents. =)

13. October 29th, 2007 at 9:34 am
    --Deb said

    Interesting question! There are some leaders I’d love to see step back to let someone else have a turn (no names, or anything), but it’s an intriguing idea–but what if a natural leader decides to let someone else take a turn and the next person in line is a natural follower??

14. October 29th, 2007 at 9:45 am
    Mike said

    Liz,

    I don’t think leaders should ever stop leading, what they should do is to stop appearing to be leading. As Karin said, there are times when others need to be the focus/locus of activity, because their knowledge and skills are the best for the situation. The good leader knows how to monitor that activity unobtrusively so set their staff up for success!

    Mike

15. October 29th, 2007 at 9:57 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Pelf, Kusani, Deb, and Mike!
    Those are all of the points I’ve been thinking about for the last couple of weeks. They keep turning and turning through my mind. Among you, you’ve hit them all. . . . I think that sometimes we do push followers to lead when they might not want to and leaders to step back when it’s not natural or necessarily the good thing. :)

16. October 29th, 2007 at 10:13 am
    Mother Earth said

    All of my favorite leaders have a following. I follow because they might have more wisdom or experience than I or I want to learn from them. Yet without fail, the leaders I surround myself with see something in me
    (others)and they put me in a place to shine, they see more than I see in me and they foster and cultivate it. Its never about them, it’s always about others

    it’s a bit like a gentle roar

    Like THEY know.

    Leaders that I know also have a den of other leaders and they share.

    When a leader steps back it’s usually for a reason like to get strength to start roaring again

    gently of course - like in a liz be nice kindof way

    Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
    http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com

17. October 29th, 2007 at 10:23 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mother Earth!
    Sometimes I step back because I don’t think it’s my turn. :)

18. October 29th, 2007 at 11:59 am
    Joanna Young said

    Hello Liz and everyone

    What an interesting conversation!

    I guess we all have different views of what leadership means. I liked what Robyn said about you being a humble leader, Liz. You’re always thinking about how to help other people shine.

    But I don’t think you should take that humility too far. Who says there are turns? Who said it’s not yours any more?

    We like you leading, creating, shining. You help us to keep going too.

    Joanna

19. October 29th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Joanna,
    We learn the “rules” from our history. It takes a lot of present to replace a past — five times as I recall. :)

20. October 29th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
    sbpoet said

    This is such a deep & intriguing question, and lots of deep & thoughtful responses already…

    My slightly off-center response is that I’ve learned (well, ok, I learn & relearn) to ask myself *why* I’m leading. If I’m thinking I can do it best, or I must do it because no one else will — that’s a warning to me to step back.

    Have you ever been *asked* — overtly, or covertly — to lead, and then when you stepped forward, looked back to find no one behind you?

    Heh. Another warning.

    People — usually quite competent people — do step forward. Or, they don’t.

    So for me the question is: do I care enough to claim this issue, and lead, with or without ‘followers’? And do I have the skills and energy to this well?

    I’m one of those leaders who like to follow, when I see someone with knowledge and skills that are strong & honest. I also know that there are things I don’t do well at all, and are far better left to others.

    Oh, one more thing — I’ve noticed that some of us are really good idea, big-picture, organizing leaders; but terrible at maintaining once things are well underway and require detail work. And some are just the opposite.

    So it’s important to know which we are, and not feel ashamed of not being excellent at everything. Knowing this helps us to relinquish when that is called for.

21. October 29th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi sbpoet,
    What great contributions you bring as thoughts to this discussion. Thank you.

    Exercises in leadership . . . before you lead ask yourself, “why?” Such a simple undertaking would keep us all on the right track, I’m thinking.

    I so like your last thought most of all . . . no shame for me there, more like relief!! :)

22. October 30th, 2007 at 8:48 am
    Robert Hruzek said

    May I say to all who contributed to this thread - I think this conversation was a home run!

    Cheers!

23. October 30th, 2007 at 8:59 am
    ME Strauss said

    Me too, Robert!