You Are Not Alone (and Other Things I Want You to Know About Leadership)

Every industry, the same problems

I often say I wish everyone could follow me around at work for a few weeks. Not because I’m so fascinating that everyone should watch me (though, sorrynotsorry, I DO have the best job on the planet).

I’d like everyone to see what I see day after day: every organization, every team, every industry… leaders are having the same problems.

Education? Law enforcement? Engineering? Legal? Healthcare? City, county, and state government? Nonprofit?

All. The. Same. Problems.

It always comes back to people

The one thing every industry has in common is that they’re all run by people. And people are ALWAYS the most challenging part of being a leader.

But the chance to work with people? Also always the most rewarding.

Why so many leaders feel alone

I want people to see this because I often sense that leaders feel very alone. They feel like their organization or team has a big, gigantic problem that they’re supposed to know how to solve. They look around at other leaders and assume those leaders must have the answers.

Spoiler alert: they don’t have the answers either. I know this because they tell me.

A few more truths about leadership

Since I shared that one, let me share a few more:

• Your problem isn’t as unique as it feels. That’s good news: someone has already worked through it.
• Asking for help is a leadership skill, not a leadership weakness. The BEST leaders I know are the quickest to pick up the phone.
• Most people problems are clarity problems. I firmly believe people WANT to deliver on expectations. The problem usually isn’t them. It’s that we haven’t been clear.
• Your team is watching you. All the time. Not in a creepy way, but because they want to know whether you’ll show up for them, and whether trusting you is going to help them or harm them.

Your challenge this week

Reach out to a leader in another organization and ask what they’re wrestling with. I bet you’ll hear something familiar.

And if you want to talk through whatever you’re wrestling with, I’m always here.

You are not alone.

Until next time,
Jill and The ThinkDev Team