Think about a leader you have worked for. The one that you would walk through fire for, you respected beyond measure. Now think about how that leader got results. Did this leader delegate detailed instructions and put you in charge of tasks? Or did this leader delegate decision making and authority?
The former describes a leader who needs to be in control of every detail, who uses knowledge as power and only reveals information on a need to know basis. And although this person may thank you for your assistance and make you feel part of the team, this person is driven by pride and ego. Don’t get between this person and their goal and their accolades. Typically, I have found this person to have such a sense of self importance that the term “it’s all about me” is an understatement.
For a brief time you may feel you are learning from this person, gaining business acumen, understanding processes, rubbing elbows with others who are on the team. And then the light bulb comes on and you realize, you have been left out of meetings and communication and now have no concept of the bigger picture. In the end, you have not been prepared for a larger role and ultimately, leadership.
I am going out a limb here by saying most of us have worked around, with or for the controlling leader. But once we have had the opportunity to work for a leader in control, the difference is breathtaking. The leader in control is that person who paints the big picture, delegates meaningful work, allows for you to learn from mistakes without fear of reprimand, and knows what is going on so that results are achieved and everyone involved knows how they contributed and is recognized for their efforts.
Who do you want to work for? And more importantly, which of these leaders do you want to be?
