When a bunch of people get together for a meeting, what happens typically? A checklist of tasks gets assigned to each person. The work gets doled out and each person gets assigned a task.
“Cheryl, you own the meeting location.”
“Jim, you need to organize the database for an email invitation.”
You can play participant and get your task list also. This makes you part of the team and your value is within the context of a list. It’s vertical, but limited.
What if you took the opportunity to drive leadership into the dynamic? You could add further value and become integral to the project team.
“Cheryl, I have a contact in Austin that can help get us totally set up. I’ll set up a call.”
“Jim, there’s a program which simplifies database segmentation which I know. I’ll help you with this.”
This is horizontal. You are unique in the context of your team in your role as a leader. It’s not a give and take. It’s a give and give. Relationships deepen. You are helping to build up others as well as your own leadership in the context of complex project work.
We have opportunities every day. Don’t miss them because you can’t see them.
What do you think?
