Leadership: "H" is for Help

"The key element is that the servant leader/follower relationship must be viewed as a reciprocal one...which leads us to the next post in this series: "H" is for Help! We, as leaders need the help of others."...(from the last post)

Both of the participants in the leadership process must contribute service as well as become humble enough to let someone else "serve" them. If we become so prideful as leaders that we cannot see true value in the relationship with the person we are serving, even if they do not "advance the cause" in which we are involved, we cannot truly lead effectively. On the flip-side, as a leader responsible for a specific "cause", we also cannot allow others to become parasites to the "cause" and stifle our ability to lead the committed followers. Therefore, we must find balance.

The fact is we need "help" from others if we are to be effective leaders. One of my favorite leadership quotes is from John C. Maxwell (I'm not a HUGE fan, but he make some good points)..."He who thinketh he leadeth, yet hath no followers, only taketh a walk". There is no single human who becomes a great leader without the help of others. Look at any great leader you know, and you'll see a team of competent leadership "helpers" all around them.

As I type this post, the president of the community college where I'm employed recently announced his retirement. After 13 years of expansive visionary leadership, he has lead the school from a glorified high school to become a leader in higher education in our region. Is he a great leader? Yes. Are there many, many "helpers" around him who have made this incredible growth and improvements to the school? Most definitely. He admittedly states, and has repeatedly told the staff and faculty that "they are the real leaders". Dr. William W. Locke is a great leader because he is humble enough to know that he needs the help of others to make a wonderful vision become reality.

Utilizing (without abusively using) those who choose to follow is one key to great leadership. And it can only happen when the leader realizes the need for help from others to truly lead.