Everyone “wants” and everyone “needs“. It’s part of life. The hard part is defining the wants and needs. What you need doesn’t equate to what you want and just because you want something doesn’t mean you need it.
My three daughters want a lot of “stuff”. Do they need it? Society has created a culture of wants. Be we need. What we want usually gets us in debt. What we want may not be healthy. What we want usually satisfies the short-term.
The key is determining what you need. What do you really need? Is it a bigger house? More cars? More stuff? When does the “wanting” stop?
Leadership is no different. You need to give your followers what they need. Not what you want.
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WHAT YOUR FOLLOWERS NEED
1. To Know They Are Important
They need to know they are important. Give them the respect they deserve at all levels. They don’t need to be judged. They need to know they matter. If not, work is just a paycheck. “What” they do makes a difference and “how” they do it is important. They need to know they contribute. They need to know they are part of the success. They need to know they have an impact, don’t underestimate this.
2. A Voice
Your people need a voice. They need to participate in setting goals and aspirations. They need to create the culture they work in. They need to make decisions without fear. They need to take care of the customer on the front line. They need a voice in how work gets done. They need to be heard.
3. A Committed Leader
- Committed to hiring and developing great people.
- Committed to creating and cultivating a great culture.
- Committed to not caring about who gets credit.
- Committed to earning trust.
- Committed to core values and beliefs.
- Committed to accountability and responsibility not blame and finger pointing.
- Committed to a vision and a plan.
- Committed to loving people.
- Committed to positive energy and encouragement.
- Committed to serving. Starting at the bottom.
4. Permission
No one wants to be told what they can’t do. Give your people permission. Permission to fail and try new things and make decisions. To care about the customer. To do what’s right in the moment of truth. Permission to lead. Permission to make a difference. It’s easy to say no. To say, “It’s not in the manual.” Give your people permission to say yes. Yes may be wrong. But it’s their yes. It’s their challenge. It’s their opportunity.
What Do You Want
Poor leaders want credit. They want power and authority. They want to sit at the top of the hierarchy and be served. They want approval. They want a position. They want formal authority. They want safe. They want easy. They want quick results. They want control.
They want.
Give your followers what they need. Serve their needs and they will lead.
What else do followers need from their leader?
Interesting. I just had a conversation with a seasoned leader who had to stop giving his employees what they “wanted” which was too much direction. He had to pull back to the point that it was uncomfortable for all… but that’s when the magic began. A reminder to me that what our teams think they want may also not be what they need.
Karin,
That is interesting. I think you are right. We need to focus on what people need not what we want. Thanks for reading. Hope you are doing well. I continue to enjoy your work.
Take care,
John
John, so well said. Many times we define leaders as good or bad based on “wants” and not “needs”. When we are in the thick of it, we think a leader is awesome who does it all for us. Only later we realize that the truly great leader is one who held back a little, forcing us to do more and learn more along the way. I worked for one woman who was particularly tough, and only years later recognized the value in what she did for me.
Skip,
Great comment. I agree 100%. Most of the time what we “want” isn’t what we really need, in almost all the areas of my life. Society tells us we “need” it but we don’t. I’m learning leadership is the same. Giving people what they “want” doesn’t help them grow and learn. Giving them what they “need” is the difference maker. Determining what they need is the hard part. Making sure it aligns with everything else.
Take care, keep up your great leadership!
John