10 Leadership Lessons: Part 2
Serve without keeping score
This is part 2 of my series, sharing the top 10 leadership lessons I've learned over the past 30 years. Read the introduction here: Building a Bridge
Listen to this post:
I missed the mark.
Focused on getting customer rates in place, I missed the bigger picture. I hadn't fully considered the business implications of the new rate structure. By the time I realized my mistake, the rates were live.
I knew I needed to get in front of Jim and let him know, as this would directly impact his team. I walked into his office, bracing for the worst. Instead, Jim calmly processed the information and then spent hours working through the rates with me, putting together a plan to fix the mess I had made. I didn’t get any lectures. He knew it was an oversight.
We worked through the process together, and in the end, there was little to no impact on the business.
I’d been exposed to the concept of servant leadership since the early days of my career, walking through Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits book. But I had not been the recipient of it until now.
The Scorekeeping Trap
Zig Ziglar said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”
It seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t I focus on building myself up so my leaders will see how good I am and I can get promoted? Don’t I need to compete with my peers? I get it. I certainly understand the urge to compare yourself to others. We all have it.
But, what if, as Zig says, you played a different game? What if you helped as many people as you can, whether they work with you, for you, or you work for them?
I can’t overemphasize what a game-changing mindset shift this is. Let’s see what this looks like in action.
Lesson #4: Serve without expecting anything in return
Jim's grace toward me changed how I approached working with others. The more I gave without expecting anything in return, the more I received. People trust people who serve without keeping score. It creates trust like nothing else.
Here's what this could look like:
Buy coffee for a new employee and ask them where they feel confident and where they are struggling. Fill in the gaps for them. They won’t forget it.
Stay late to help an overwhelmed coworker hit a deadline.
Make it your mission to share credit with others (If they compliment you, do say “thank you” first!)
Get curious about what keeps your boss up at night and help lighten their load.
Make yourself indispensable to your company by solving problems that aren't in your job description.
Stop asking "What's in it for me?" and start asking "How can I make their job easier?"
You will become someone who can be counted on to deliver for the team. Coworkers will notice. Leaders will notice. You will move your career forward.
Lesson #5: Serve others regardless of their status
Livorio ran the night cleaning crew. When I worked late, he'd stop by to chat about his family, his grandkids, and his life. He was such a friendly guy that I looked forward to those visits. Additionally, he was kind enough to help me brush up on the Spanish I learned during my 4th-grade year in Puebla, Mexico.
It didn't matter that I was an engineering leader by day and he cleaned buildings for a living. We developed genuine respect for each other.
Recently saw him on a flight out of our local airport. It was great to catch up with him and his wife before our flight.
I used to chase titles to build myself up. Any title I have earned will impress someone for about…1 minute. But how I treat the person with no title and nothing to offer me is a reflection of my character.
Don’t give me a medal. I haven’t always gotten this right. However, giving respect to others and expecting nothing in return will change the world as much as it depends on you.
Don’t worry about titles. Develop a genuine interest in people. Learn their names. Ask about families and weekend activities. As you show genuine interest in those around you, your influence will expand, and opportunities will open up for you.
The Choice
Scorekeepers might get ahead temporarily. But servant leaders build something more important.
A lasting legacy.
In a world obsessed with cheap social media dopamine hits, I encourage you to be different. Become known as the one who serves others without expecting anything in return.
Next week: Leadership Lessons #6, #7, and #8 - "Embrace Who You Are" Because growth happens in the space between who you were and who you're becoming.
Great leadership lessons here Tarek. Some people think when we add value to others it somehow subtracts from our value.