“Great leaders are not defined by the absence of weakness, but rather by the presence of clear strengths.” —John Peter Zenger
In our lives and leadership, the people around us can either elevate our vision and drive, or drain our energy and enthusiasm. It’s crucial to recognize the difference between these two types of individuals to create a thriving and productive environment where “A” players want to be a part of the movement.
There were years in my leadership where our growth outpaced my leadership abilities. I fought imposter syndrome and put on a happy act like everything was hunky-dory. On the surface, we were growing, our team appeared solid, sales were always up year-over-year, but by the end of each day, I had nothing left in the tank. To be transparent, I was starting the day with nothing in the tank. I couldn’t wait for the weekend, because at least I could attempt to not think about the problems that Monday morning was going to bring me. Getting up and out of bed each morning to start my workday was dreadful. Of the 40 or so Team Members that had called Atlas home during that time, I discovered that I had 2-3 lifesuckers on my team directly reporting to me. And as fast as I could work to grow myself as a leader either through what little bit of personal growth I was doing, or from the few mentors I had in my life, those suckers were taking it quicker than I could get it in leaving nothing left to give to those that wanted more from me. Not to mention being at my best as a dad and husband to my family! My business was leading me, I wasn’t leading it. My life was leading me. I wasn’t leading it!
I hear from many leaders today that identify with that story and situation. And the hardest part of growing past the suckers is taking the first steps. Well, if that sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been there. Let’s take those first steps together.
Here are (3) things to get the ball moving in the right direction!
1. You have to Identify and Cultivate Life-Breathers: Notice I didn’t start with identifying the life-suckers. That is by design because you already know who the suckers are. No need to waste time identifying them.
- The Life-breathers are those who inspire, support, and energize your leadership. They bring positivity, creativity, and solutions to the table. This might be your spouse, a close leadership friend, motivated employees / leaders in your business, pastor, mentor, business or life coach. Or if you’re like me, I’m thankful to have all of those, and I’d suggest you do the same! As you read the story above, it wasn’t always like that!
2. Create a Supportive Environment: Surrounding yourself with the right people starts with building a culture that attracts and retains life-breathers. Be sure you are setting clear and concise values and expectations. Establish and communicate the core values of your organization. Ensure that everyone understands where you are going, the expected behaviors, and are aligned with these principles.
Also be sure you’re promoting collaboration, teamwork, and promoting positive work / life balance. Create spaces for collaboration within your people, whether physical or virtual, to facilitate teamwork. These will help your team stay motivated and help prevent burnout!
3. ELIMINATE Life-Suckers!: Yep, those Life-suckers that drain your energy, suffocate growth, and create a toxic work environment. Here’s how to address and eliminate their impact.
- Identify Negative Influences in your world: Be observant of behaviors that consistently undermine morale, such as constant criticism, resistance to change, or lack of accountability. These individuals often create more problems than they solve!
- Address Issues Directly and Quickly: Have conversations with life-suckers about their behavior and its impact on the team. Provide specific examples and offer support to help them improve. Set very clear consequences if the behavior continues!
- Make Tough Decisions: If efforts to rehabilitate a life-sucker fail, it may be necessary to promote them to another company. Prioritize the overall health and productivity of your team. Letting go of negative influences WILL lead to significant positive changes! I promise you.
I’ll tie a bow on this teaching with this. Pay attention to the people around you who consistently offer constructive feedback, innovative ideas, and a collaborative spirit. If these are people in your organization, acknowledge their efforts and provide opportunities for them to grow within the Team! Life-breathers thrive in environments where their voices are heard and valued. Encourage open dialogue, listen actively, and create platforms for sharing ideas. Surrounding yourself with life-breathers and eliminating life-suckers is crucial for ANY effective leadership. By creating positive influences, cultivating a supportive environment, and addressing negative behaviors head-on, you can and WILL have a thriving team that propels your leadership and organization forward. I’ve watched BOTH sides take shape not just in my own leadership, but in dozens of leaders around me. This is not something you want to take lightly. Remember, the people around you are a reflection of your leadership. Choose wisely, and watch your vision come to life!