The boss has lost their mind

“Our personal perception over our leader’s vision”

-Nathan Jamail, Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author

Have you heard someone else say (or most likely we have said it ourselves):  “Corporate has lost touch with reality and they don’t truly understand what is going on in the field!” If so- you are not alone, however more often than not, this belief or statement does not help us or those we work with.  In fact this statement is less about corporate or their lack of understanding and more about our limited belief systems… and dare I say it- our egos.

The statement says that we believe our personal perspective over our leader’s vision (or the company’s).  Our perspective might appear to be right or even a better one than what is currently happening, but that is because it is based on our own limited perspective.  I think Dale Carnegie said it best in “How to win friends and Influence people”–  we are all wrong 80% of the time, but we will argue we are right 100% of the time.

Let’s assume that we are wrong only 70% of the time- that means between our leaders and us there is a better chance we are wrong than we are right.  Here is the good news- in business and when it comes to success, its not about being right all the time to win- its about being aligned from top to bottom!  The secret in this is for all leaders to believe in their leaders direction vs their own personal perspective.

Wait, what?!

Yes I said it, we must believe in those we follow when they tell us something, even if we think it is so stupid or wrong, over what we may think is right!  Why is this you ask?  Because they are the leaders and they can only lead effectively if followers believe and followers can only win if leaders can lead!

As a leader do you want your people to follow your direction, even though sometimes not all your employees can fully see the vision from their current perspective?  This can be especially true if they are two or three levels removed from your role.  The same is true for the reverse.

Thought questions:

1. As a leader do you want the best for your people?
2. Do you care about your people?
3. Do you want see your people and team succeed?
4. Are you always trying to make the best decision for the team and the success of the team?

I am assuming the answer is yes to every question, if not then I, nor anyone, will be able to help you.   

All I am asking from each of us is that we give the same “belief and trust in our leaders” that we want our followers to have in us.

Even right now some of you may be thinking that I am crazy and you are choosing your personal perspective over my expert opinion (based on over two decades of working with leaders and teams from every region of the globe in 100’s of different trades).  Thats ok, because we don’t have to be aligned since we are not a team, this is simply advice or information you get to decide to try or not.

Next Step – Winning with Alignment

This expectation and belief has to be set up and discussed early before there is a vision to believe in or change to buy in o.  This is called “Serve UP & Coach Down” (sound familiar- it is from my recent book).

The key to building powerful wining teams is when everyone is aligned in their belief and vision.  When we no longer have to spend days convincing our teams or getting buy in to go in a new direction- the faster we can get there.  Whether we ‘know it is right’ or not- let’s use our judgement, experience and skills to go as fast and effectively as we can in the same direction- and if it is wrong let’s change direction just as fast as we can and keeping moving!

It’s like I tell my wife, “a great marriage is not about who is wrong or right, it’s about us moving forward together, serving each other and doing the best we can for our family” (ps usually I am wrong but love is not about keeping score!).

The greatest competitive advantage a company can have is the ability to change and adapt quickly!  This happens most effectively when we are not worried about being wrong or making a mistake.  While also not losing faith in our leaders or ourselves when we do make mistakes, but are able to adapt, change and grow until we get it right.

Leaders like to say “Fail forward” as that is learning and growing; but it’s harder to take our own advice in our failures or accepting our leader’s failures.   It is important to know: it’s not about right and wrong- its about belief and alignment.

Final Thought:

This concept is not being a “yes person” or “suck up”, it’s about being a humble and confident follower, that believes in their own ability to contribute and execute.  It’s about being that person that leaders and bosses are grateful they have on their team because they are great employees and team members they can count on.  We do this so we become confident leaders that others will follow and believe in- that others will serve and execute for!

Back to my amazing and loving family- I am a leader to my children, but at home I must follow my wife’s direction because I love her and I want to serve her (and secretly I am scared to death of her).

To be the best team we all must do our part in believing in those we follow and assume their vision is more accurate than our perspective, because we want to serve and do what is best for the whole.