Let go and Lead!
April 28, 2012
“Look, no hands!!!!”
Many of us have heard the cheers of a new bicycle rider, thrilled with the new-found ability to ride steadily in a forward direction with no hands on the handlebars. We may have even shouted out with glee ourselves in our early cycling days.
It’s a big moment, one of freedom and exhilaration. And, yes, a cause for celebration. The celebration is about both the achievement itself and the relief: after all, it beats the tightened muscles and white knuckles that accompany a strong, controlling, fear-laden grip.
“How does this relate to leadership?” you’re wondering.
Here are a few parallels between the No Hands Rider and the Leader:
The rider has a good sense of balance. The successful leader has the foresight needed to balance tactical needs with strategic requirements.
The rider exercises judgment about exactly when to let go. The leader’s intuitive skills are honed – they actively listen to what’s said and not said … and then act.
The rider is a risk taker. The leader takes informed risks, grounded in facts and data and has the courage of conviction to execute a decision.
The rider surrenders control and trusts the mechanics of the bicycle’s many parts. The leader trusts the team, empowers them to be the experts they are, and focuses on keeping them engaged as to where the organization is headed.
Riding that bicycle with no hands or being a natural leader who is present, ‘in the moment’, tuned in to both the mechanics of the organization and the stakeholders with expectations, is a blend of art and science. After all, it’s only when the white knuckles are released – and we trust and engage the other smart people around us – that we can actually take in the scenery and chart the course for where we’re headed.
How much trust do you have in yourself as a leader to ‘let go’ and empower your team?
Releasing the white-knuckled grip of control takes confidence and delivers freedom … are you up for a change?
If you’re micro-managing the mechanics, who is keeping an eye on the road?
Successful Leaders and Expert Riders are masters at knowing where they’re going and what it takes to get there.
How ready are you to stop the firm-handed steering and embrace artful leading?
