KevinTest
I have been asked recently if my approach to selling or leading a sales team has changed due to my recent change in jobs and the new “products” that I am representing. As I thought about the question, I tried to apply it to LeadershipVoices and the following paragraphs are what my feeble mind has produced.
Based on what my collegiate creative writing professor claimed, a static person or character in a story or piece of literature is someone who never changes. They stay the same. As I consider and compare that to leadership, I wonder if that is a good trait for a leader to have.
When I think of static, I think of rigid, non-wavering, and steadfast in ones beliefs and principals. I can appreciate knowing that a leader will be the same, today, tomorrow and forever, but is that best? I think about some leaders I had in the past and I think that a comfort level was built because of that. And there was a point in time where I began to make my own decisions based on what “…I knew what their answers would be…” However, I really enjoy all of the writings that are comparing leadership and fatherhood, and I realize that I am not the same father to my 10 and 8 year old that I was to my 4 and 2 year old. So I ask, is flexibility and being the right leader at the right time better than being steadfast?
So having said all of that, in comparison, a dynamic person, is someone that has the ability or changes characteristics towards something or someone. I begin to wonder if this is a good trait to have in a leader. The ability to change as society requires it, or as your followers require it? As much as I need a leader to be steadfast, I think I may appreciate flexibility more. One of the things that I think all salesmen tell prospects is that we can be flexible to conform our product or services to fit their needs.
Is it the responsibility of a leader to conform their leadership to their followers needs? I think subconsciously we alter our leadership to better fit whatever is happening at home, don’t we? Is that a good example for our family? Can we lead different members of our family in different ways? Should we expect our followers to change?
I have decided, it is my responsibility to approach each customer, salesman, and family member with a dynamic style of leadership to make sure it not only conforms to their needs, but is static in the honest framework that is Christ-like.
I think there is a mix of the 2 in successful leaders. There are dynamics in relationships that vary greatly in the workplace, in life in general, at the home etc. In the work place, it is important to be static in the way rules are enforced, the workforce is treated and in the temperament under stress. It is equally important to be dynamic in being open to suggestions, listening to the team and other managers in ways to improve and a willingness to at least try other ideas. As the old saying goes, if you’re not changing your dying.
I don’t know if I like the word “conform” in this case. I think the really great leaders have an ability to adapt their leadership style to fit the needs of the organization. Is that a bad thing? No, on the contrary. In fact it is a good thing. However, there does need to be a certain steadfastness or predictability when it comes to a leader’s behaviors and actions. The last thing an organization needs is a leader who is unpredictable.