Why would anyone follow you as their leader if you didn’t control the financial reins on their bank accounts and mortgages?
The CEO was stumped.
He had never thought of that before: what if all my employees were volunteers? Why would they follow me if they weren’t being paid?
Here is how James Kouzes, the long-time leadership development researcher and co-author of The Leadership Challenge, responded to that intriguing question in a radio interview with Kate Ebner on the Voice America Business Channel.
“They would follow you because you build trust.
“You foster collaboration.
“You model the way, set a good example, challenge the process, are clear about your values, your vision for the future, and your ability to enlist others in your vision.
“You make other people feel strong and capable.
“And you search for opportunities to grow, innovate and improve.”
To help you as a leader develop that trust and collaborative spirit that would inspire your employees to follow you even if they weren’t being paid (at least in the short run), consider savoring the 77 Leadership Mints — bite-sized ideas to freshen your feeling for leading in LOVING Like a Leader available on Amazon.com.
LOVING Like a Leader, With Empathy — the second book in the Leadership Mints Series -develops your emotional intelligence to better listen and relate to others with compassion, connection and conviction. Readers savor 77 Leadership Mints, bite-sized ideas that like a candy mint are quickly accessed and immediately refreshing your feeling for leading.
LEADERSHIP MINTS PUBLISHING 