Are you an influential leader or an opinionated jerk?
THE TRUTH - the "big mouth" self assessment
- When faced with interpersonal conflict at the office are you typically the wagon (being pulled), ox (pulling), or the reigns (steering)?
- When faced with a project where you have to collaborate amongst your peers to accomplish a goal are you the score keeper (give someone else credit for success), the sprinter (you get the credit for success) or the coach (doesn't care who gets credit as long as the goal is accomplished)?
- In a departmental meeting are you the complainer (demotivate, accomplish nothing), coffee pot (motivate, accomplish nothing) or facilitator (motivate and lead action)?
- Do your boss and/or co-workers trust you enough to follow your lead?
Beware of bad career advice that encourage collaboration through round-table discussions of opinions, at the end of the day the only objective that gets accomplished is that of the influential leader that left the table first, and the rest who followed behind.
THE REALITY
No one cares what you think, unless you influence them to feel the same way.
GOOD ADVICE
Are you the complaining score keeping wagon? You always ensure things are fair, with a lot to say but accomplish very little. Even though you are liked, you are probably a nightmare to manage.
Are you the sprinting ox coffee pot? You possess a path full of accomplishments but chances are you are resented by your peers. The boss loves you because you get things done, but you face peaks and valleys of success and failure, because you are totally alone when faced with defeat.
Be the facilitating coach with the reigns. Influence those around you by getting to know them personally and engaging them through a message that resonates with them. Lead from the back and push others into the spotlight, but never lose hold of the reigns to steer the outcome in your desired direction.
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