The Position-Less Leader

follow-leader“Leadership is something you earn, something you’re chosen for. You can’t come in yelling. ‘I’m your leader!’ If it happens, it’s because the other guys respect you.” —Ben Roethlisberger

We know that the idea that leadership is bestowed upon a few, select individuals is an antiquated notion. It is not a formal position of authority that determines leadership, but the ability to influence others. Every one of us has the potential to be a leader. So, what gives the position-less leader the power to influence others?

Trust

People follow those they trust. A position does not award you the trust required to be a leader. When we gain the trust of others we are able to influence them because they know that we will look out for their best interest. When we become a trusted advisor, we become a position-less leader.

Competence

People follow those who they see as competent. A title does not prove competence. When we work closely with others they start to have confidence in our skills and knowledge; they see the value of our experience. When we become the go-to person to answer questions and solve problems, we become a position-less leader.

Communication

People follow those with whom they develop good, two-way communication. Authority does not necessarily make you a good communicator. When we develop relationships where we share information; listen because we care; and empathize with others, we gain the ability to influence. With this influence, we become a position-less leader.

It’s About Respect

The bottom-line is: it’s all about respect. Leadership is the ability to influence others; it takes trust, proven competence, and two-way communication. These characteristics are not earned by acquiring a position of authority. They are developed through focusing our energy on becoming a positive force in the lives of others. When we earn their respect, we expand our influence, and become position-less leaders.

 

© 2016 Elizabeth Stincelli

 

Liz Stincelli is passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. She is the Founder of Stincelli Advisors where she focuses on helping organizations change attitudes, change communication dynamics, improve collaboration and problem-solving, engage employees, and strengthen organizational culture. Liz holds a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about Liz by visiting her website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with her on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact her by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.

 

Can You Hear Them Now?

hear“None so deaf as those that will not hear. None so blind as those that will not see.” —Matthew Henry

Employees are the life-blood of any organization. Even though many leaders think they are the key to organizational success, it is employees that are the eyes, ears, muscle, and brain that keep things running. When you have the attitude that it is you and not your employees that deserve the credit you tend to stop hearing what they have to say. This is a mistake that can have dire consequences. So, why is it so important to hear your employees?

What do they see?

If you don’t hear them, you will never know what they see. You can’t be everywhere and you can’t see everything. Your employees are your eyes on the floor, at the job site, in client meetings, and in the hallways. They are witness to many things that you really need to be aware of. If you aren’t willing to listen to them you will never know what they see.

What do they hear?

If you don’t hear them, they will never share what they hear. It is impossible for you to pay attention to every sound or every word. Your employees are your ears. They hear the hum of the machinery. They hear conversations between clients and colleagues. They hear the concerns of other employees. If you aren’t willing to listen to them, you will not know a piece of equipment sounds different until it is breaks down. They will not share the information they gained from conversations they have participated in or overheard. You will never know what they hear.

What do they know?

If you don’t hear them, you will never benefit from what they know. Every employee brings with them a unique set of skills, knowledge, and experience. It is the combination of these three factors that make each employee one of a kind. If you are not willing to listen to them, you will never know what knowledge they have to offer.

Are You Willing to Listen?

Your employees have so much to share. If only you could see everything they see. If only you could hear everything they hear. If only you had access to everything they know. Wait, you can and do if only you are willing to listen. Can you hear them now?

 

 

© 2016 Elizabeth Stincelli

 

Liz Stincelli is passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. She is the Founder of Stincelli Advisors where she focuses on helping organizations change attitudes, change communication dynamics, improve collaboration and problem-solving, engage employees, and strengthen organizational culture. Liz holds a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about Liz by visiting her website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with her on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact her by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.

 

Four Benefits of Disruption

distruption“By seizing the opportunities that disruption presents and leveraging hard times into greater success through out-innovating, out-thinking, and out-working everyone around you, this just might be the richest time of your life so far.” —Robin S. Sharma

Historically the word ‘disruption’ has had a negative connotation. But, in this day and age, disruption is the driving force behind success. So, what makes disruption positive?

Shakes up the status quo

Disruption shakes up the status quo. It forces us to reevaluate the way we have been doing things and even the goals we are trying to achieve. The status quo keeps us stuck where we are; disruption can give us the push we need to get moving forward again.

Piques curiosity

Disruption shocks us out of our slumber. We can no longer operate on autopilot; we begin to be curious about what is and what could be. It’s this curiosity that leads us to explore new ideas, products, and processes. Curiosity is a key component to success and disruption is a great reminder.

Forces out-of-the-box thinking

Disruption can serve as a yield sign, signaling that there may be a better way. Stop using the same thinking that got you this far, step outside the box and see what great ideas you might find there. When everyone else is operating inside the box, disruption can be the catapult that sends you in an uncharted direction.

Improves adaptability

Learning to embrace and capitalize on disruption improves our adaptability. Things never go exactly as planned. Disruption keeps us agile; we no longer get thrown off course every time we encounter a disrupting event.

Seize the Opportunity

As Robin S. Sharma emphasized in the quote at the beginning of this article, disruption can help you to out-innovate, out-think, and out-work those around you. This is the key to success. So, seize the opportunity. Let disruption shake up the status quo, pique curiosity, force out-of-the–box thinking, and improve adaptability. In the encouraging words of Robin S. Sharma, “…this might just be the richest time of your life so far.”

 

© 2016 Elizabeth Stincelli

 

Liz Stincelli is passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. She is the Founder of Stincelli Advisors where she focuses on helping organizations change attitudes, change communication dynamics, improve collaboration and problem-solving, engage employees, and strengthen organizational culture. Liz holds a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about Liz by visiting her website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with her on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact her by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.

 

Three Reasons You Don’t Want Content Employees

three“We must not be content to memorize the beautiful formulas of our illustrious predecessors. Let us go out and study beautiful nature.” —Paul Cezanne

Some think that contentment is the key to happiness but, it can be the enemy of progress. Employees are happiest when they are making progress, being challenged, and growing personally and professionally. Why be content, settling for the status quo, when you can be exploring, learning, and growing? Here are three reasons you don’t want content employees.

Passion

Contentment slowly suffocates the flame of passion. Passionate employees are excited to contribute and they thrive on being part of something bigger than themselves. Passion cannot be taught, it cannot be passed on from one person to another. Passion must stem from a belief in something that is of personal value. Help your employees understand the big picture goals of the organization and then acknowledge the value that their personal contributions bring to the table.

Drive

Drive is the desire to make progress, to go further than we have gone before, and achieve great goals. When employees become content, they tend to lose their drive. Encourage employees to never be content with the status quo. Nourish their desire to contribute to the forward progress of the organization. And, give them the credit they deserve for progress made.

Opportunity

Everyone wants the opportunity to take on challenges, learn new things, and grow. When employees become content they lose the ambition to put forth the extra effort needed to seize opportunity. Offer employees challenges that keep their work exciting. Give them access to the resources they need to meet these challenges head-on. Invest your time and energy into helping employees become the best they can be and then reward them for their growth.

Ignite the Fire

If your employees have become content their spark has burned out. Fuel their passion. Feed their drive. And, encourage them to pursue opportunities. Acknowledge the value that they add to the organization and reward progress and growth. It’s time to ignite the fire.

 

© 2016 Elizabeth Stincelli

 

Liz Stincelli is passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. She is the Founder of Stincelli Advisors where she focuses on helping organizations change attitudes, change communication dynamics, improve collaboration and problem-solving, engage employees, and strengthen organizational culture. Liz holds a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about Liz by visiting her website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with her on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact her by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.