Ian Lock

I often have a conversation with leaders about this question. It usually involves the realisation that they had reached the limits of everything they knew before they took on their current role. This is a great place for the progressive leader to find themselves in. It means they can stop looking brilliant by having the solutions and start helping everyone else in their organisation be brilliant.

Consider the good football manager. You never see him actually playing football. He’s not on the pitch making it happen. His sole focus is helping his players be great. He does this by noticing how they work together, reading the energy of each of them, and spotting if they are there for each other. He’ll always have an eye on the big picture and his goal is always to ensure that everyone is performing at their best.

When footballers become football managers, they often have a transition period where they try to be player/managers and have a foot in both camps. Many leaders do the same. To be successful, the trick is to know when to be on the pitch playing and when to be off the pitch and leading. It also involves recognising when those up and coming players are doing far better without you being on the pitch and getting in the way!

What do you see about yourself as a leader from this perspective?

Where do you spend most of your time as a leader? Is it always on the pitch playing?

How often do you consciously get out of the way?

Learn more about Ian Lock, the author of this article – click here