A One-Liner Making a Difference

We've all had classroom teachers. Classroom teachers choose their profession to positively impact the next generation. Classroom teachers are often not present when their positive impact kicks in to forward the struggle and success which is adult life.

A number of classroom teachers have told me they occasionally hear from former students who tell the teacher about her/his impact on the former student's life. One teacher told me she estimates for every 500 students she teaches, one will return with a story of life impact which motivates this teacher to improve her teaching while satisfying the need to know her desired impact is working.

Personally, I lead and I teach leadership. Those to whom I teach leadership are most often already leading others. Some leaders I've taught have subordinate leaders. One very good leader recently reached out on LinkedIn to indicate a simple phrase I taught 14 years ago in his in-company leadership development session in Gulfstream Aerospace. He reports this one-liner has had a lasting impact on his leadership. He has even provided this advice to members of his family as they start their way in the adult world. The phrase is "Build the Relationship Before You Need It".

Why is this phrase a powerful guide to good leadership? Because of human nature. Un-reminded, we naturally gravitate to the task at hand, especially in North American culture. Other cultures around the globe do start with building the relationship before it is needed. By starting with the task, we may be signalling others we don't (yet) see them as individuals. WE like to be seen as individuals, yet our compulsions to "get the work done" can drive out the initial behavior which builds the lasting, motivated relationships.

Can becoming a better leader really be aided by a "one-liner"? Yes, it can. Leadership is best improved when guides such as this one-liner are short, memorable, and felt to be worthwhile. Great leaders choose to remember their "guideposts" or one-liners.

What are the conditions which cause leaders to improve their leadership? First and foremost, good leaders become great leaders from seeking constant improvement. They lead daily, rather than preside over things and others. They develop others. They develop themselves. They read. Good leaders discuss leadership improvement with other leaders. Good leaders have multiple mentors. Good leaders are mentors to multiple other leaders and front line professionals. Good leaders adopt the goal of improving their leadership.

Note above leadership improvement is a choice the individual leader makes. By shifting the focus from the task to the people who will contribute TO the task, we increase motivation with a bond of investment in the other person.

Have you noticed we have come full circle in this short article? You, the leader, are the development officer for each of those whom you lead. As their development officer, you have or you will know the deep satisfaction of hearing specifically how something you revealed to a ready learner has impacted her/his life and work. Even at 1:500, this, as much as anything you experience, will keep you investing in the growth of your team members and family members.

To review, what works best in leadership improvement? First and foremost, the choice to improve one's leadership. Then, simple, short reminders of key behaviors to apply nearly every day, such as "Build the relationship before you need it".

For future consideration--A few more one-liners. "Honor the Comment", "When Asked for an Answer, Have a Process", "Start With Context and Work Backwards", and "I Can't Hear What You Say Until I Know That You Care"...

Leadership is a service activity. Lead on.