When you were much younger, did you ever hang from something upside-down? Like hanging from monkey bars? Or laying down, put your head over the side upside down? Doing so always created a different perspective on what I was seeing.
“I like to turn things upside down, to watch pictures and situations from another perspective.” Ursus Wehrli.
What about leadership? Is your leadership upside-down? If not, then it might be time to look at it from a different perspective. We all have an idea on what leadership should look like and how it is lived out. But…..maybe we need to redefine it to be better. Maybe we need to turn our perspective “upside-down.”
I recently found some notes, from several years ago, taken from an article written in the early 90’s. What was written then could easily be applied to today. So.. Here are 5 reasons to consider to have upside-down leadership.
1. Leadership is not a role – it’s a function. Some people believe that others use roles to avoid relationships. A leader who relates through a role could “pull rank,” “expect privileges, or create a ‘we/they’ detachment.” The function, however, is for the leader to serve.
2. Leadership is not a right – it’s a responsibility. According to writer Becky Brodin, in the “hierarchical paradigm, the way to accumulate power and attain success is to climb the leadership ladder.” A sense of “entitlement” can creep in the value system of a leader who expects privileges to accompany leadership – even expecting the right to be the leader. But leadership is not a right to claim; it is a responsibility to fulfill.
3. Leadership is not wielding authority – it’s empowering people. In business and ministry, managers are redefining their roles from “boss” to “coach.” Beverly Geber quoted in her article “From Managers to Coach,” words managers used to use to describe their leadership: “director, policeman, task assigner, baby-sitter, fire fighter, scheduler and decider.” These implied a”top-down view of leadership aimed at controlling subordinates” Gerber went on to write, “Terms to describe their new roles include coach, trainer, facilitator, delegator, educator,” shifting leadership from controlling others to empowering people so they can do their jobs.
4. Leadership is not winning popularity – it’s influencing people. Becoming more concerned with image, what others think of you, etc., is the first step a leader takes toward dictatorship. The energy and creativity that cold have been used to influence people will instead be spent making sure people are submissive an respectful. Yet influence, not power, earns respect.
5. Leadership is not a gender, race, or age issue – it’s service. Everyone has the potential to be a leader. Mothers lead their children, fathers lead their families, teachers lead their students, managers lead their employees. “The essence of leadership transcends human differences and shows itself in myriad personalities, situations, and responsibilities.” Let’s not limit leadership to those who fit a stereotype. All of us are called to serve – and sometimes that means leading.
Maybe it is time we look at leadership from a different perspective.
I welcome your comments.
Fantastic points altogether, you simply received a new reader.