Is your foundation solid?

Author

Kacy Maxwell
October 30, 2024

I was not prepared for leadership when I first became a leader. Like most people, I did well in my current role and was promoted into leadership. However, it quickly became apparent to me (and probably to my team) that I had no idea how to lead people. So, I started listening to podcasts, reading books, and following people who talked about leadership. The insights they shared were at times idealistic but often really helpful. It’s probably the same reason why you've signed up for this newsletter, hoping I'll provide you with some nugget, tip, or trick that will help you be a better leader. And of course, that’s one of my goals. But doing all the ‘right things’ won’t make you a great leader if you don’t have the right foundation.

The Foundation of Leadership

Here's the interesting thing about leadership: you can be extremely talented and learn all the right actions and still be a bad leader. Power will just make you more of what you already are. So if your motivations as an individual contributor are all selfish, you will most likely become a selfish leader. It’s sad but it’s true.

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Character is who you are when no one is watching.

Coach John Wooden

Here’s the good news. You probably have the right foundation. How do I know that when I don’t know you? Because you are trying to learn how to be a better leader. Most people who are only focused on themselves don’t seek out leadership advice. They seek out ‘ways to get ahead’ or ‘how to get promoted.’ So, give yourself a little pat on the back. You are already heading in the right direction.

📖 A Short Story 📖

When I was leading a team of about ten, one of the younger team members shared with me in a one-on-one that he wanted to become a leader. I told him that was a good goal. Then I asked him ‘why?’ He thought for a minute and then responded that he'd like more autonomy, be in charge of more things, and be part of higher-level conversations. I told him that while all those things would happen to some degree, a large portion of his day would be spent working on things for his team. Solving their issues. Unblocking things for them. Training them. Helping them grow. And depending on the season and his level, this might be the majority of his time. I asked him if that excited him or sounded like a chore? He responded that he really hadn’t thought about that side of it. I shared that it was both the hardest and also the most rewarding part. He paused again and then said he wanted to learn how to do that. I told him that was a great goal.

So remember, as you continue on your leadership journey, don't just focus on external actions. Yes, they're important—you need to have one-on-ones, give your team feedback, and be open and transparent. Please continue to do all of that, and I'll keep sharing things here to help you. But make sure you also take a little time to re-examine your why to make sure that your foundation is rock solid.