Leadership: Who Can You Trust?

As much as it may feel "lonely" at the top, it just isn't true. It’s another myth of leadership. Everybody wants to hang out with you. Most people assume you can advance their careers. Deep inside, they think your good mojo will rub off on them. After all, you're at the top. And from the outside, being at the top looks a lot like Camelot.

But even King Arthur had to face what all effective leaders must resolve. It’s not the issue of being alone that confounds us. Leaders are surrounded by people. Rather, it's the issue of the company you keep. Where do you find wise council? Who can you trust?

I advised Dr. K, president of a medical company. We were troubled by constant glitches in the company’s distribution. As management systems improved, one of Dr. K's long-time confidants resigned. Simultaneously, all the problems disappeared! It wasn't magic, but definitely there was a sleight of hand. In hindsight, Dr. K learned the employee/confident was embezzling.

The issue all of us face is finding ways to maintain perspective. How do you keep perspective? How do you avoid group think? What kind of people do you surround yourselves with?

That’s what I want to know. Tell me.

Comments

[Joan Schramm]

To be successful as a leader, you surround yourself with people you can trust to tell you the truth. Every leader needs one person who is able to look him or her in the eye and say, "You're wrong." It's a top-down thing. If the leader's response is to kill the messenger bringing contrary news, pretty soon the only messages that get through are the ones that support the leader's position. That's how you end up mired in a war half-way around the world based on flawed intelligence -- no one wants to tell you you're wrong.

[Cathy Goodwin]

I like the way you debunk the 'lonely' myth. So true!

[Lynn Jordan]

Good points and good comments.

A good leader has to have a realistic view of the big picture.

It help to see council with another person in your same position within the company or in another company. It's easier to see problems when you aren't closely involved in them.

Lynn Jordan
http://authorstoolsblog.com

[Paula Chaffee Scardamalia]

Great point, Alex. And, like so many other things, lonely can be a matter of definition. Just like being a stranger in a crowded room can make you feel lonely, so can being a leader surrounded by people looking to use you.

I like Joan's mention of the importance of having one person not afraid to tell it like it is...kind of the role of the jester in King Arthur's day - the truth couched in bearable terms...

That is what good friends-- and good business advisors-- are for.

[Cheryl Chow]

Hi Alex,

Interesting point. It made me think. I think that I automatically assumed that it was "lonely at the top" because that's been repeated so often. Reminds me never to assume anything.

[Danette Moss]

Alex your article on leadership has good points, and right on point comments by others.

What Joan said is so true. To be successful as a leader, you must surround yourself with people who are leaders, that you can trust and who will tell you the truth.

A true leader deals with facts, never sugar coating anything and with that being said, we sometimes feel like we are all alone because true leaders speak truth, and not everyone likes truth.

Danette Moss
http://www.GroceryShoppingGuru.com
http://www.LiveLifeOutSourceTheRest.com

[Charity Wilson]

I enjoyed all the comments about your article Alex. It is well to be reminded of this and all the comments. Killing the messenger over time can create yes men, as well as squelch creativity and innovation.