In leadership, we learn that we need to recruit and grow people, then let them go. In theory, that should work, right? And it usually does, for a while. It works as long as the new leader stays motivated. Aren't all leaders self-motivated? You wish. There is initial excitement as they spread their wings and start to fly. Then rocks start getting thrown at them - confusion, disappointment, isolation, anger, fear, embarassment, CHANGE. All these things start coming at them to take them off course. Often, they don't reach out - they don't want to disappoint, or they're embarassed that they are not meeting expectations. They may even avoid you when they need you the most. So now you get to decide what kind of leader you want to be. Will you wait, and assume that "they're fine" because they haven't reached out to you? Or do you continue to offer your support, train them to keep them on track, and recognize their efforts to keep them excited? Do you just throw them out of the nest and hope they get their wings? Or do you stay along side them to help them soar with you? A wingman makes your flight easier, too.
A few years ago, I found myself in front of a 100 or so scrapbookers wearing a coconut bra and a grass skirt. The "tiki" theme that we had chosen dictated the need for my costume. The fun part was that everyone in the room knew that when I hit the stage in my crazy outfit, someone was going to win a prize! Shouldn't a leader be above dressing silly at a big event? Never! Would it help if I mentioned that I did have a t-shirt on under the coconut bra? And that we all wore Hawaiian shirts the rest of the time? Or that I've worn a Santa hat, light up necklace, blue hair, pink bowling shirt with matching glow-in-the-dark bowling shoes for other events? So why did I go the extra mile? Did I have to wear a coconut bra and a grass skirt to give away prizes? No. But did it add to the excitement and the atmosphere? Yes. It brought a sense of fun to the event and unity among the team. A large event is a huge undertaking. Havi...
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