Every leader desires to be as effective as potentially possible, but in order to make impacts that last, there must an unwavering commitment to supporting all students and all staff, that is the utmost priority. Nothing is more aggravating or disheartening to employees or followers than encountering a difficult situation and seeking help from the leader only to have the leader look at the situation, tell you what's wrong and then wishing you luck in solving the problem as he walks away. This type of leadership behavior is more affective than effective, and it doesn't inspire followers to follow.
Followers Want a Guide
Followers look to their leaders for guidance, support and service. The leader has a choice to make. Get involved and build capacity or don't get involved and demolish commitment. In order for leaders to truly get involved and generate increased productivity and commitment to the organization, leaders must embody one powerful yet simple question consisting of 4 little words?
"How Can I Help" conveys 5 Things:
Belief in helping all adults and all kids in any way possible.
Communication and service are a leader's 1st two priorities.
Great leaders have an innate desire to make all students successful by making all adults successful.
No job or task is beneath the leader. He or she will do anything to help his fellow staff member.
Leadership is not about title or position. It is about support, guidance and service.
"How Can I Help" can be hollow if Leaders...
Ask questions but fail to deliver answers.
Never get back to the person who asked for help.
Say they will deliver, but have no intentions of getting the job done.
Never report back the results of what they did to help.
Never check in to see if followers are still following.
Making Help Happen
There are all kinds of strategies you can employ to lead successfully, but the best leaders know that their number one job is to solicit information and input to make the entire organization better. The only way this can occur is by constantly looking for ways to help the very people that you lead. Helping others is one of the highest leverage skills that every leader can easily employ. Clarifying expectations, actively listening, giving direction, relieving unnecessary stress and working side by side with followers are just a few ways that leaders can help.
People don't follow position. They follow character. They follow selflessness, and they follow leaders whose actions demonstrate service to others. "How Can I Help" is the best question to inspire more people to follow you.
I read this.