The ABC’s of Leadership (Day 18): Restore

We must restore hope to the young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor.  We need to include the excluded and preach peace. (Pope Francis)

 

Day 18 – ‘R’

Leadership is hard work. But, just for a moment, imagine how hard it is to empower, and trust, someone to serve in a position of leadership.  For a team, promoting a leader means deferring and surrendering.  But, more than anything, it means trusting.

Trust is a leadership imperative.  It MUST exist for a leader to be effective.  So what happens when leaders fail? What’s the next step after your teams question your leadership?  There is no simple answer but the process of restoration is necessary.

Productivity Steven M.R. Covey likens the lack of trust to a leadership tax – a cost of doing business within an organization.  This tax challenges and impacts the cost of collaboration and productivity.  This is exactly the type of roadblock a leader needs to eliminate.  Adding a ‘trust tax’ to the already complex, challenging work environment is a recipe for disaster.  It challenges communication, relationships, and productivity.  In the face of trust challenges, leaders need to focus on restoring their teams.

In Hawaii, we have something called Ho’oponopono, where people come together to resolve crises and restore peace and balance. (Duane Chapman)

Restoration is a beautiful thing.  It reminds your people that you care about their personal, and professional well-being.  So how do you restore? Focus on empowering decisions vs. delegating low-value tasks; focus on aligning your words and actions; challenge organizational traditions; and, trust your team – even if it means they’re wrong.

Want more on leadership? Check out my partner Dale Richardson’s thoughts in his Live the Goals podcast here!

 

“The ABC’s of Leadership” is a web series highlighting principles of leadership.

Each day, we’ll highlight a new focus area and concept.  Done in partnership with Dale Richardson, a Podcast Host and John Maxwell Team certified speaker, trainer and coach, we’ll also offer a podcast exploring each idea further.

Tune in daily!