This year, I changed my leadership style. I’ve learned that my whole team is happier, more engaged, and more productive when I “manage” less and “empower” more. In traditional corporate environments, people usually think that the boss or manager has to bestow empowerment on the people who report to him. Consequently, the reporting staff members wait for the bestowing of empowerment, and the boss asks why his employees won’t act in empowered ways.
A few months ago, I turned that model upside down and trusted my employees to lead meetings, make decisions and move us forward. They rose to the occasion producing our best quarter in years. I’m delighted with this new system, and now, instead of managing, I have the pleasure of leading and helping to develop each staff member to grow even more in her respective role. Notice, I said ‘her’.
As the sole male on the Matchmaker Logistics team and the only male in my household, I’m surrounded by a whole lot of “girl power”. Most days, I’m thrilled to be the head of a household and a company comprised of strong-willed, highly intelligent, and extremely talented women. But, some days it’s not easy.
Remember that line from My Big Fat Greek wedding? “The man is the head (of the house), but the woman is the neck. And she can turn the head any way she wants.”
I confess that when my fellow band members call and ask me to play a weekend gig, I usually respond: “Let me check with management, and I’ll get back to you…”
So, just in case my staff decided to take my new empowerment leadership model a little too far, I decided to reinforce the fact that “the buck still stops” with me. I brought in a sign and taped it on my office door. It read: “I’m the Boss“.
Later that day, I went out for a lunch meeting and returned to find that someone had taped another note under my sign. It said: “Your wife called. She wants her sign back!”
I guess it was their way of reminding me that “the rooster may crow, but the hen delivers the goods“. To which I reply: “He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of the hens.”
Don’t ruffle any feathers this weekend,
~Bob
