“On Monday mornings, I am dedicated to the proposition that all men are created jerks.” – H. Allen Smith
Writing in The 360° Leader, John Maxwell shares a humorous story about a turkey and a bull.
“I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree,” sighed the turkey, “but I haven’t got the energy.”
“Well,” the bull replied, “why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings? They are packed with nutrients.”
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it gave him enough strength to reach the tree’s lowest branch.
The next day, he reached the second branch after eating more dung. Finally, after a fourth night, he was proudly perched at the top of the tree. But a hunter promptly spotted the turkey and shot him out of the tree. The moral of the story: BS might get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there.
Monday mornings can either be a day of dread or one filled with expectation for what lies ahead. And yes, you may have to contend with those whose path is full of droppings or who BS their way to the top. But as a leader, what motivation do you want your team to bring to the workplace on Monday? What do you genuinely believe motivates your team to keep coming back?
Here are a few qualities that will endear you to your team and make them proud to be by your side:
Being a leader with a servant’s heart
A leader with a servant’s heart is consumed with centering the organization around their own needs and being the facilitator to make those around him successful. The mentality is not “What can you do for me?” but “What can I do for you?”
When you engage your team members with a servant’s heart, you help them see and understand you are about the big picture, not being the big person.
Being a leader with an open mind
I’ve said it often: the best ideas don’t always flow from your office; they rush into it. When you lead with an open mind and are open to the ideas and expertise of your team, your team’s potential is unlimited. Martha Stewart said, “Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a great success.” And this is what makes your workplace enjoyable. Great things are within your reach when leadership is open-minded to new ideas, thinking outside the margins and vesting trust in the team.
What brings your team back on Monday is an environment where ideas are welcomed, leaders are not insecure, respect abounds, and team members see each other not as the competition but as fellow teammates striving toward mutual goals.
Being a leader with a clear vision
Monday is the least of your worries if your team members do not have their hearts and minds wrapped around the vision and mission of what they are doing and why.
Warren G. Bennis said, “Leadership is the ability to translate vision into reality.” This is the responsibility of your leadership: to map out a vision in clear terms your team can embrace and where the buy-in is authentic when your team knows where they are going and why they will buy in and go there with you.
Final thoughts
What brings your team back on Monday is a leader with a servant’s heart (it’s not about you). What brings your team back on Monday is a leader with an open mind; don’t BS them. What brings your team back is a leader with a vision; share it.
Now, put yourself in the shoes of your team. Would you want to come back on Monday?
Doug Dickerson is a resident of Goose Creek. He writes and speaks about leadership. Read more at www.dougdickerson.net/. Email him at dougdickersonleadership@gmail.com.
