I have always found that when I truly respect and appreciate someone, I am far more inclined to do everything in my power to help them and make their life a little easier. Good leaders motivate me to work my hardest and produce my best work; but what makes a "good" leader though? In a 2014 TED Talk by author and self-proclaimed "optimist," Simon Sinek, the qualities of effective leaders are explored and eloquently brought to light.
In the beginning of the TED Talk, Simon says, "In the military they give medals to people who are willing to sacrifice themselves so that others may gain. In business we give bonuses to those who are willing to sacrifice others so that we may gain. *Whispers* That's backwards...right?" This sentiment truly resonated with me, why is it that in business there is such a culture of working one's way to the top even at the expense of others? Are we not more efficient and cohesive when we work with the good of the team in mind? I believe that Simon has a fantastic point, some of the strongest and most celebrated people in this nation have built themselves on a culture of self-sacrifice and willingness to lay themselves on the line for the benefit of others. I believe that businesses and Top-Level management should be no different. I can recall many instances in my life in which self-interested "leaders"have failed to inspire and galvanize groups I've been a part of to produce great work. I can also clearly recall selfless leaders who, through care and support, have received the best output from teams I've been a part of.
One of the greatest leaders I have ever worked under was my high school track coach, Coach G. Coach G was what I liked to call the "anti-coach;" he never yelled at his team, he never pushed us harder than we could handle, and he always checked in with us to assess our physical and emotional health before each practice. Coach G led in such a way so as to comfort us and make us feel appreciated and vital to the team (even if, like myself, we weren't the fastest or the best runners). Unlike the pushy and self-motivated leaders I had been exposed to previously, Coach G made it quite clear that he would put in as much care if not more than we did; he made it clear that he would do anything for the well-being of his team. I think that that is the pinnacle of an effective leader, and precisely what Simon Sinek has attempted to convey in his discussion of the topic. When I saw my Coach give 110% for us, I was inspired to give 110% back. I think that this goes back to Simon's explanation of the, "...because they would do it for me" phenomenon. As Simon remarked in his TED Talk, the number one answer he received when he asked war heroes why they sacrificed themselves for their comrades was that they sacrificed themselves because they were certain that if tables were turned their comrade would do the same for them. I think that organizations with this type of culture are the most effective and operate the best. In my opinion there is so much more to leadership than directing a team, leadership encompasses everything from directing, to listening, to, most importantly, creating a culture of trust through a willingness to give of oneself for the greater good of the company.
Someday I hope to either work for a leader who would give of themselves for the benefit and well-being of my co-workers and myself, or be a leader who would give of myself in the interest of others. I thoroughly agree with Simon Sinek's idea of great leaders, in my opinion there is no better way to support and direct a team than to show them your care and dedication. As Simon asserts, it isn't authority that makes a great leader, it's sacrifice and trust.
