The best #leaders I ever met relished thoughts that were diverse from their own.
This didn’t mean they changed their mind every time someone presented an opposing view. But they ALWAYS gave other thoughts due consideration.
The desire to hear a variety of views and thoughts is characteristic of great leaders who value people and also of wise leaders who desire to make the best decisions. An old proverb says, “In the multitude of counselors, there is safety.” This does not mean that there is wisdom in a collection of people who all say the same thing. It means that there is inherent value in #diversity and alternative thoughts.
The great #leader who desires to hear the thoughts/opinions of others stands in contract to the one who desires only to hear their own opinion come out of others’ mouths. It is this type of leader who uses phrases like, “They just aren’t catching the #vision.” or “I just can’t get them to be a #team player.”
Make no mistake, it’s important for a team to work together and have a unified vision. BUT, these phrases are often not used properly. Usually they are being thrown around when someone(s) is/are presenting a different opinion than the one already pre-decided by the boss, and the boss has no appreciation for the alternative thought.
In conclusion let’s look at the ways this could look in every-day business.
A supervisor is given a project by the executive team. They take the project, develop a plan and then bring the plan to their team. The team listens and has some thoughts on how to best accomplish the objective. Unfortunately, the boss has already developed a plan and has no real interest in hearing alternative plans (despite likely saying, “So what do you think?” at the end of their presentation). After arguing about the best way to get things done, the supervisor leaves the room, thinking (and possibly saying) that the team just isn’t on board and they may need to get some others on the project who are able to “catch the vision.”
Alternatively, the leader receives the project and only develops a general plan which they hold loosely as they bring the project to the team. They don’t give their plan, but instead share only the objective before genuinely seeking the opinion of the team for the best way to accomplish the mission. After listening to the diverse ideas and thoughts of those on the team, the leader assesses the best course of action. They MAY (or may not) reveal their loose plan to see what the team thinks. They may ask for a bit of time to make the best decision from what they have heard. In any case, the thoughts of the team are valued and properly assessed. This leader leaves the room with the benefit of #experience and #perspective of not just themselves but of every member of their team.
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