The Leasing of Leadership
If you have ever leased a car, you are well aware that you must take care of it. Unlike a car that you own and intend to have for the long-term, you can’t drive a leased car past the provided miles and you certainly can’t leave that shopping cart dent in it. You could but if you did, you will have to pay for it when it is returned to the dealership and you will pay far beyond what you think it will cost.
From the perspective of a car dealer, they love to lease you cars. They know you will take very good care of it and when it’s returned it will have low miles and your monthly payments will have likely paid off the investment the dealer had in the car.
While it is understood that a leased car is only temporary and we treat it accordingly, we don’t always see that within our leadership positions.
You Are Temporary
Regardless of your position, you are sitting in a chair that will one day be occupied by someone else and if we lead with this in mind, your leadership will turn into a legacy. Here are five tips that can help you understand that leasing your leadership role can be powerful and life changing.
Spend more time mentoring, coaching, and helping others than you do on yourself.
Prioritize the development of others over your goals.
Identify the future leaders in the organization and bring them with you on your journey.
Give constant and constructive feedback while providing an opportunity for those around you to take risks.
If you have been promoted, you achieved what the majority never will. Make sure you prepare others for their future by empowering them every chance you can.
It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day demands of leadership but if you understand the temporal nature of all of us, your decisions and attitude will ensure that long after you leave, much of what you accomplished will be carried on.
The ultimate goal of leadership its about creating an environment for a better and brighter future. This is not act that can be accomplished by a single person but a single leader can certainly create an environment that stands the test of time.
Now Go Lead!
Dr. Travis Yates retired as a commander with a large municipal police department after 30 years of service. He is the author of “The Courageous Police Leader: A Survival Guide for Combating Cowards, Chaos & Lies.” His risk management and leadership seminars have been taught to thousands of professionals across the world. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy with a Doctorate Degree in Strategic Leadership and the CEO of the Courageous Police Leadership Alliance.
Excellent piece and certainly hits home that leaders need to shift their focus from themselves to others. Feels like there are a lot of servant leadership traits here that we need to cultivate
Thanks!!