In my early days in leadership, my company’s COO came striding into our department demanding to know why some yet-to-be-completed project remained undone. He focused on one of my teammates that reported to me and demanded answers. Instinctively, I stepped in and said, “Sir–she reports to me, and I am responsible for this area.” Though I wasn’t exactly sure how we were going to pull this off, I was absolutely certain that I needed to protect my teammate. The COO, perhaps a bit taken aback, simply replied, “Good! Get it done!” The person who I’d protected was grateful, and from that moment forward, she was one of my most loyal and productive teammates. I had shown her that I had her back, and from then on, she had mine!
Consider these 3 thoughts about #IGYB:
1. People are imperfect
We acknowledge that imperfection is a part of the human condition. Leaders understand that we will have problems. When a mistake inevitably happens, how do we deal with it? Do we explode? Rant and rave? Or, rather, do we see it as a coaching/teaching moment? Leaders who remain calm in these instances, using mistakes as a tool for growth, will convince their people that they "have their back". Great leaders want to create a fearless and orderly culture that empowers subordinates and facilitates their growth. With confidence in their leadership, they can think more, do more, and be more.
2. Accountability and Discipline
These are motivators if you have one ingredient: a trusting relationship. When the leader offers accountability and provides discipline, and the person receiving knows and feels that the leader has their best interest at heart, magic will happen. Having subordinates’ backs means that the leader will not allow them to perform at a level that is beneath their potential. The leader’s message is: you can do more, you can be more, and I will help you become more.
3. Exemplify your Freedom Mindset
We want our people to think and act freely. How can we get them to operate with this mindset? By cheering their efforts, not focusing exclusively on results. They must embrace our philosophy that success is not final, failure is not fatal, but not trying is certain death. But they will not feel truly free until they know that an undesirable outcome that happens when truly giving their best does not result in an adverse consequence to them—in short, that we have their back!
#IGYB is one of the most powerful tools that we can use to get people to trust us. Because once trUst is established, the electricity will be turned on for transformation of behavior and then everyone will follow suit and Take Another Step!
What are some good stories where someone had your back?
What are some horror stories where someone did not have your back?
It happens! Make sure you understand when you need to have someone’s back and make them feel safe. Then they will grow beyond their own imagination!
Let’s Grow!
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