Great Leadership Shows Consideration

No one has all the answers all the time, so effective leaders encourage problem solving. In my experience, I found that by describing the problem and then listening as group members join a dialogue around possible solutions often led to a suitable solution that I had not considered. Leaders do not always have all the answers, so encouraging an environment of consideration can lead the team to unanticipated successes. Pushing the team toward its goals without providing the tools and support that are necessary for the team to achieve those goals makes it more difficult for the team to succeed. 

Providing resources is an important component of leadership. In my experience, one of the most important factors in effective leadership is furnishing support for the team members. When the team is lacking the tools required for its success, no leader, even the most charismatic one, can make the team perform successfully. That’s not to say that the team members should have carte blanche and have every request fulfilled. It means that the job of the leader is to determine what resources that team needs and see that the team has them. I always felt that this was one of my most important priorities as a leader.

One of the main lessons you learn from your experiences as the member of a team that failed is that leaders cannot make teams succeed by sabotaging the group members. You are a member of the executive team for a large organization when you watch this happen to a colleague. For example; The director of marketing, he is responsible for developing a pipeline of new customers. However, the president of the organization, the leader of our team, continually undermine him. From cutting advertising budgets to staff reductions, the director of marketing is continually being asked to do more with fewer resources, and sales slump. The president regularly berates the director of marketing, blaming the director’s lack of effort. When a new president comes in, he takes a different attitude. He figures out a way to provide the resources that are lacking. He offers support and encouragement instead of criticism, and the sales dramatically recover.

See to It they Have the Tools They Need to Succeed 

Strong leaders are sensitive to the needs of the team members. If the team fails to complete its task or fulfill its mission, it is often because the group does not have the resources to carry out their plan. The willpower of the leader cannot overcome the lack of information or tools that the group requires. 

As the leader, you are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the group’s endeavor. An important aspect of leadership is determining what the group needs to help it succeed. Open communication is a key here. Talk with the team members individually and as a group to find out what they believe they need. Ask “why” in addition to “what” as you talk with them. Team members should be able to clearly explain why they are making the request and, in the end, it is up to you as the leader to determine how valid the need is.

One of the hard decisions that a leader has to make is how to balance the needs of the group with the resources that you have available. There is never an endless supply of money, time or equipment available, so it is up to you to determine what support realistically can be provided. As the leader, you should always reconnect with the team members to make sure they understand why you made the decisions that you made. One of the quickest ways for a leader to lose the support of the group is to appear to be making decisions autocratically.

Ask Them What They Need 

An excellent way to demonstrate consideration is to ask team members what they need. What additional information or resources will make the job easier? When team members respond with their needs is when a constructive dialogue can ensue. Ask the team members why they feel they need those particular resources. Ask them what alternative resources may be acceptable. Even outlandish requests should be taken seriously and not simply dismissed out of hand. Listening to the team members is the best way I know of to gain their respect and cooperation. Unfortunately, you will not always be able to provide what a team member asks for. The requested resources could be too costly or, you may come to the decision that they are a luxury rather than a necessity. You might not have access to the requested information, or you may not be able to share that information with them. 

If you are convinced that what they are requesting is crucial, then it is time to go to higher authorities in the organization and push for what you need. Prepare to stand up for the group when necessary. The best leaders you work under are the individuals who you feel are willing to go to bat for the group. At times that meant standing up to their superiors whether by advocating for resources or shielding the group from unwarranted criticism. If, on the other hand, you cannot provide what they ask for, you must tell them. That’s when the dialogue you have established with the team members is valuable. You will be able to explain which of their requests are possible and what are not. You will be able to work with them to make sure the team does the best with the resources they have.

Be Honest with Team Members 

In almost every leadership situation throughout, you are in the position of having to say no to requests. You learn that when you fail to clearly explain why you said no, it led to resentment and loss of respect on the part of the team members. When you are able to explain the situation, you find that they showed a better understanding and acceptance of your future decisions. The worst leaders you encounter in your life are the ones who are not open and honest with the team members. They were the leaders who no one wants to work with. Leaders such as that can be successful for a short time but it is not a sustainable way to operate. Eventually team members will realize that they are not being treated with the respect they deserve, and the team’s results will suffer. High performing teams require everyone on the team to be working together toward the same goal. 

Encourage Problem-Solving 

As a leader, you must always be aware that challenges will arise. The times when setbacks occur, such as resources in short supply or obstacles to overcome, are the times that the leader has to step up. You are always able to recognize a strong leader by watching him or her when things weren’t going smoothly. As the group leader, you should always be prepared to lead the problem-solving process. When problems arise, you and the group will have to develop new ways to attack the issue. You have led hundreds of problem-solving sessions, and you learn early that the key to effective problem-solving is to begin with an open mind.

Consideration means recognizing that you do not have all the answers and realizing that the team members can play a valuable part in the process. Take advantage of the skills that each of the team members brings to the group as you search for new ways to solve the problem. In a later chapter, we will delve into the problem-solving process more deeply. Brainstorming with the group is an effective way to get the members involved in the process. When the group members have the chance to offer suggestions and provide input, they will generally be more committed to the ultimate course of action. By describing the problem and then listening as group members contribute to the dialogue around possible solutions, the group often develops a suitable solution that you, as leader, may not have considered.