Throw Your Title Away

If you threw your title away, would others still seek you for influence - or are you depending on your title to define you?

How many of us, if we are honest, equate the rank or title we hold in our organization as the definition of whether we lead or not? This has been my definition for a long time, and still can be sometimes, if I am honest. I think that I need a positional rank to lead from, that my influence comes because of my title. I wrestle with wanting a title that gives my name rank, prestige and honor. Although it is true that our titles do say something to others about what we do, it should not, by itself, define our leadership (mode of influencing others). What if you threw your title away? Would others still see you as a leader? In other words, would others still look to you for guidance, direction or influence?

I received a phone call tonight from someone who I know very well. I have a relationship with this person and we have grown to trust one another over the years. He sought some advice from me as how he should handle a situation. I shared my heart on the matter and encouraged him in a direction. I have no positional authority over this person, he is not 'in my charge' so to speak, but yet he sought to be influenced by me. I seek influence from others (in other words, I seek to follow others), not just people who hold a higher rank than I, although these people who do are often in my speed dial for guidance and direction. The thing that holds my desire to seek out influence and follow others has to be more than just a title, it has to be that they are trustworthy and willing to have a relationship with me. It dawned on me that leadership, that is, the process people use to lead, goes beyond our title. If I am only seeking a title to define me as a leader, I have missed the mark.

Peter Northouse (2010) defines leadership as involving influence. Leadership "is concerned with how the leader affects followers. Influence is the sine qua non [essential ingredient] of leadership. Without influence, leadership does not exist." I want to influence others well based on who I am as a person, whether I have a position that gives me power (more capacity or potential to influence others) or not. I often ask myself why this can be such a fight sometimes! I realize how much our culture, and my being influenced by culture, clambers for titles and position. I want to follow people who influence me, not just because they hold a title over me, but because I trust them and because I have a growing respect and relationship with them. However, sometimes I have to accept that because someone does has positional authority over me, I need to submit and follow them, whether I personally like them or not. I too will not always be liked by others who I am charged to influence (my father would probably agree with me on this)!

I was speaking with a person at work today who I respect greatly. He works to maintain the cleanliness of our buildings and I would follow in a moments notice. Why? His example. I respect him. He has led (influenced) me in ways that he will never know because of his practical example of consistently caring for the work that he does. His title may be janitor, but I see him as a great leader.  Again, if you threw your title away, would others still seek you for influence - or are you depending on your title to define you?

References

Northouse, P. (2010). Leadership: Theory and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Wisdom vs. Intelligence

Living as Wise: Wisdom vs. Intelligence - Foolishness vs. Ignorance

I have been faced with making decisions in my life where some have turned out well, and many have not. I have recently been made aware of how different intelligence is to wisdom, as ignorance is different to foolishness. According to Robert Sternberg, "if foolishness is in some sense the opposite of wisdom, it means that intelligence is no protection against foolishness" (Sternberg, 2010, pg. 70). I find this statement to challenge my learning. Ignorance is the lack of knowledge. If someone does not know how to do something, then we, as leaders, must first teach. After knowledge has been given, we challenge how that knowledge is being applied (wisely, vs. foolishly). So what am I learning and how am I using it? Do I learn to gain more knowledge for the sake of knowledge, or do I learn to seek wisdom on how it is to be applied to my life? How do I apply what I know? Am I applying it foolishly or wisely? If wisdom is defined as the appropriate application of knowledge to a situation, then what is appropriate?

Perhaps the greatest answer lies in where we are finding the source of our wisdom as leaders. Proverbs 1:7 says that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" (NIV). Before I can apply any wisdom, I must have some knowledge (intelligence). What knowledge do I have, and then I can determine, how am I using that knowledge?

It is not enough to say that someone is smart. After graduating from college, I wanted to be a financial adviser  I had the intelligence, but my personal application of sound financial principles were less than wise. I was applying my knowledge of financial responsibility foolishly, spending more than I made, and living on credit to which I am now paying the price of the foolishness of my youth through monthly payments! Now, a little older and learning from bruises of past financial irresponsibility, I seek to apply that knowledge of financial management. Now I am seeking to be wise (not always perfectly, but pursuing). The source of principles that guide my application of financial management  is for me, Scripture and the wisdom contained there in how I live in the area of my finances. A paradox that challenges the worlds view on financial management is in the way of giving. Scripture tells us "one man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:24-25). What a challenge to the idea of keeping what I make to myself. In God's Kingdom, giving as the Lord enables and leads provides for deeper prosperity. If I desire to be wise in my area of finances, it would behoove me to give generously and freely when led to (not begrudgingly or with a insincere heart).

This is just one example of seeking to apply knowledge well (living as wise). Whatever the situation is requiring decision making as a leader, whether in my personal life or in my professional arena, I need to consider two questions: Do I have the right knowledge to make a decision and what is guiding my application of that knowledge to this situation? Perhaps these "slow down and think" questions can prevent foolish decisions and help us as leaders move the people we influence, the examples that our lives set, and the organizations that we represent forward in a positive way. How has asking these types of questions helped you on your journey to lead well?

Reference:

Sternberg, R. (2010). A handbook of wisdom. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.