Day 115 - As a leader, it's not about commanding but communicating that gives you leverage (1,000 days content creation challenge)

Some leaders think that just shouting and commanding people to submission is a cheat code to getting compliance and performance. Wrong.

Here is why…

It's not sustainable because you can only command so much

You do not get accurate data because you don't know whether people are performing out of conviction or submission

Unless you are an army commander, where subordinates are already predisposed to be commanded, then, all you will be grooming is a group of people filled with resentment. That's not good reading. Bad energy to have around.

But there is another way which is useful and more sustainable and that is…

Communicating.

It means you are open for a dialogue rather than monologue

You are open to understand someone else rather than purely pushing to be understood

You are creating space for other people to express themselves rather than you being the only bull in the kraal whose voice is heard loudest

You are sensitive to people's emotions and navigate accordingly in ways that are helpful and timely

You craft and deliver your challenging feedback with care and class to achieve optimal productivity and loyalty in the long term

You are seeking a win-win situation rather than you choosing to be the only medal winner and others being declared losers constantly

You enroll people in your vision. In fact, you co-create the vision to generate ownership.

In essence, you look at your position as an opportunity to influence positively and not to just inflict dogma

You facilitate conversations and not commands

You value communication more than commands. That's more sustainable. That's uplifting and people who follow you will cheer you for it.