Dear Monsters, get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and leadership excellence. In this empowering blog post, we delve into the captivating story of the Good Boss’s return and the transformative impact it had on a young analyst’s perception of leadership. Through the power of leading by example, we explore the essence of true leadership and how it applies to New Age leaders like you. Let’s dive in and explore the significance of embodying leadership qualities that inspire, empower, and create a positive impact.
We all know that great leaders do this easily, but I believe the real measure is when you can lead by example…… even when no-one is watching.
The good boss showed me how to do the right thing, even when it was the hard thing – and when he suddenly left on sick leave for a full month – I would close my eyes and try to reconstruct the advice he would give me.
Even today, when I’m challenged I stop and ask myself:
WWTGBD or What Would The Good Boss Do?
Dear Monsters, when I look back at those dreadful thirty days during the Good Boss’ stay at the hospital, I understand how impactful they were on my leadership journey. I understand I didn’t have a clue about what I was doing most of the time, but I had to act on my own. The Good Boss did what every good leader should: provide an example. No cutting corners. On the day of his return, I was in the office at the crack of dawn. I wanted to finish the quarterly report so that he would have time to read it. I was sitting in the darkness, typing away, when I heard a key in the lock.
And there it was, the picture I’d missed so much for the past month. The Good Boss entering his office, with his binder and his large black Mary Poppins–style umbrella under his arm. As he turned around, expecting to find nobody, he was startled to see me at my desk.
“Ms. Zikova!” he exclaimed. “You’re here!”
“ Welcome back, sir.” I beamed.
“Coming in this early? What else has changed since I was gone?” he said, teasing me.
“You will be surprised, sir. You will be surprised,” I said with pride.
I was genuinely happy to have the Good Boss back in the office. In only thirty days, he’d managed to inspire action within me that I didn’t think possible. During his absence, I was constantly simulating his behavior, his style, his way of thinking and doing. I started anticipating my challenges and my mistakes, I started advising my peers in difficult situations, I kept calm in high-pressure conversations.
During those desperate weeks, I started to be him, talk like him, act like him. When I didn’t have a leader to guide me, I stepped up and made my first steps toward becoming the leader I am now. And when he was back and I watched him settle at his desk as if nothing had happened, I realized that there was no turning back. I had experienced what it meant to lead, and I wasn’t going to remove my foot from the pedal just because he was back. Although being an analyst barely out of the probation period, I knew I was capable of inspiring action.
Dear Monsters, no matter which stage in your career you are now, please do understand that you are not too young or too junior to lead. It has nothing to do with your title. However, it has everything to do with how you execute with high standards, communicate clearly and consistently with your teams, and do the right thing when nobody is watching. Leadership is about being your best self, day in and day out, making impact, inspiring, supporting. It is a long game, and it requires you to get in way before the title and the salary package arrive.
Leadership is not only reserved for the ones at the top of the pyramid. Remember, leadership belongs to you as much as it belongs to your boss. You don’t need permission to lead by example. There is no keycard or access code required. Leadership is a gift available to those who want to make use of it.
The question is this: Are you leading today? To be able to answer, you will need to define what the word leader means to you. Everybody I have worked with has a different perception and there is no right or wrong. Grab a piece of paper and note as many adjectives as you can fit on that sheet that you associate with this word. Is it assertive, confident, supportive, responsive, presentable, innovative, strong, or is it something completely different? Is it humble, compassionate, open-minded, and caring? You decide. Together we are on a journey to redefining what new age leadership means, so help us figure it out.
Congratulations, you have made it to the first challenge. You have been sitting comfortably reading this blog, but now I need you to stop doing whatever you are doing and focus on the following task.
What is the one key attribute that makes a great leader? Write it down. On your mirror, or in your notebook, on a post-it, on your wall, on your palm, or even on your face, for all I care. Take a picture with it and post it on LinkedIn or Instagram using the hashtags #dearmonstersbookchallenge and #newgenleader and tag me on @helena_zikova. Let’s start a meaningful conversation about what leadership stands for to monsters like us. I would love to hear from you and include your voice in the new definition.
But also, let’s take this a step further. After you do the exercise, look at those adjectives and ask yourself if you live up to them every day. Are you being a leader as per your description? If yes, good for you. If not, why not? What is your excuse?
I have done this exercise with dozens of monsters, and many of them say that they lack patience. Monsters tend to rank patience as an important leadership trait. Patience with people, but also patience for change to settle in, especially if it is taking longer than needed. Patience is fascinating to us, because it is a trait that is incredibly hard to master in the age of instant gratification.
Think about the situations that make you impatient and how that affects people around you. Evaluate ways you can become more patient today. Be candid. I am sure there is so much more you can do today to prepare for leading change, growth, and results. What is it that you lack to be the leader of the future, dear Monsters? The sooner you identify it, the faster you will overcome it.
As we conclude our exploration into the power of leading by example, remember that leadership is not defined by titles or positions. It is about embodying the qualities that inspire, empower, and create a positive impact. Embrace the opportunity to be a leader today, regardless of your current stage in your career. The world needs New Age leaders like you who are committed to personal growth, excellence, and making a difference. Start leading by example, and watch the transformative effects ripple through your life and the lives of those around you.
