© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
Do you think that your style of leadership should match other leaders at your organization?
I take a very hands-off, trusting, and empowering approach to leadership, but find that other leaders that I work with at my company do not take this approach and I'm worried it's undervaluing me because it comes off as though I am soft or weak, when I really believe that I should stay true to my values and what I believe is good leadership. My team works well and performs well I think mostly because of my style of leadership, but I'm afraid the other leaders around me don't think it's because of this.
How can I let them see and perhaps understand the impact my leadership style is having and perhaps help them see the benefit of them also taking a similar approach without coming off as a know it all or calling them out on their sometimes "abusive" approach to leadership.
JamieJacobs
710
03/27/19 at 4:11PM UTC
I like Marina's idea with encouraging feedback. Some people like to be managed exactly the way you are and others like to make sure they have more check-ins and guidance along the way. It depends but feedback will help whether that be through a poll or maybe even a 1:1 conversation.
Marina SideliAspiring Organizational Psychologist
436
03/27/19 at 3:50PM UTC
It sounds like you are a more values-based or servant leader, which sounds like it really works for your team! I do think that it's difficult to be successful when you are not aligned with your leaders. Perhaps you can encourage your company to do feedback reviews on the leaders and see what employees think about their leader and the leadership style they take. It can be very hard to have these conversations, but sometimes asking questions can also uncover a lot about someone. Maybe you can start by asking your fellow leaders questions that uncover what sort of leadership style they think they have and what they think is effective. Perhaps they are very unaware of their leadership style and the effects it has on their followers, but maybe helping them to uncover it can lead them to want to take a similar leadership approach that you are seeing is successful.
Jane S.
1.05k
03/27/19 at 2:41PM UTC
Great question. You say your team performs well. Do the other leaders' teams perform well? If they're not performing as well, perhaps there's a way for you to approach those leaders and suggest that your style really seems to be working (obviously you'd do this in a constructive way). Moreover - if their approach is sometimes "abusive," I'd imagine that people on their team aren't very happy. You might be able to say you've noticed that people don't seem happy and you think more of a hands-off approach might be helpful in showing those employees they are trusted and valued.
belmamccaffreyCEO / Founder of Work Bigger
30
03/28/19 at 4:17PM UTC
Love this approach. I agree that if your team is showing results, then you can let go of the worry on what other leaders think of you. I think it's so important to follow your own gut / heart on how to lead while also keeping an open mind / continuing to learn and grow from others.
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.