Most people assume that to get to the top, you have to start at the bottom, become the best, and then you can be promoted to management. Although that’s often how it happens, it doesn’t mean that it’s the best way to groom leaders.
For example, just getting great at sales doesn’t make you a great sales manager. The skill set involved in being a top producer can be quite different from the set of skills required to be a great leader.
Ideally, there is a natural progression that takes place as people move toward taking a successful leadership role. When they get competent in one phase, they become ready to tackle the next. With that in mind, here is a quick look at the three phases of leadership:
1. With
During this initial phase, you learn to function well as part of the team. In addition to working on the skills that pertain to your position, you also develop trust and build relationships with your team members. Mastering this can open the door to the next phase in your leadership journey.
2. Separate
During this phase, you step into an official leadership role. You are given more responsibility and a higher expectation is placed on you, and you can feel like a separation occurs between you and your peers. The transition can be very difficult. You might assume that you have to become arrogant, condescending or dominating to get them to listen to you, but it’s not true. You can learn to influence people to follow you—not because they have to but because they can tell you have their best interests at heart and you will lead them to success. Mastering this phase may open the door to transition to the final phase.
3. Above
In this leadership phase, you are no longer working side by side with the team. This means you need to distance yourself somewhat to grasp the big picture, but it doesn’t mean you need to become distant or out-of-touch. In this phase, you also need to learn to rely on others. You can no longer do it all yourself. This phase of leadership is demanding, but it is also extremely rewarding if you keep great people around you to help you carry the load, freeing your time for thinking and strategizing.
As you travel this journey, respect the process. Remember that your organization needs leaders in all three phases, so wherever you are, you are a valuable member of the team. Just keep building on your skills and you will continue to grow.
Leon Fontaine is internationally renowned for his ability to equip leaders with skills for success. He is the CEO of Miracle Channel and senior pastor of Springs, a contemporary church for family and career coaching with six campuses across two provinces in Western Canada. Email your comments to [email protected].
