As a leader, you devour leadership content. You do your best to be educate yourself. You are determined to not repeat the mistakes made by other leaders. You want to inspire and motivate your team to be the best version of themselves.
As an executive you want to run an incredible organization. An organization that helps people go where they want to go.
But even the most well-intentioned leaders can fall prey to the "Fog of Leadership." It's that moment when doubt, fear, and uncertainty creep in, like the fog, and you hesitate to make a critical decision. That decision? To reveal information that is critical to educate your team member on the inner workings of the business. But it could also show them a side of you they've never seen: Something other than perfect.
Showing them behind the curtain, means they could see your faults, or the weaknesses inside the business. It's a trusted team member, one you're working to take to the next level. They think we have all of our stuff together.
Even the strongest leaders, at that moment of handing over the keys, could become trapped in the fog.
Hopefully, your past leadership training, this blog kicks in and you can clear the fog. Stepping up as a leader. Giving trust, so that others can grow and learn. Sure, rarely you'll find someone abuse it. But don't that rare event color the way you lead! As an added bonus, the sooner you discover the wrong people, the sooner you can pivot to the right people.
It's our responsibility to empower our team members to ask tough questions. Clear any obstacles inhibiting their progress, and cheer them on the whole time. Every time, I've been in the fog of leadership and I make the decision to break free. The results have been overwhelming positive. So invite them in!
Have you ever felt the Fog of Leadership? It's a common experience for many leaders, but it's crucial to recognize and work through it. As leaders, we need to trust our instincts, empower our team members, and clear the path for them to do their best work. It's not always easy, but it's what separates the great leaders from the mediocre ones. If you're interested in a more codified leadership program the GiANT Worldwide 100x program is worth investigating.
So, the next time the Fog of Leadership creeps in, take a deep breath, clear your mind, and remember your role as a leader. Give trust fast, empower your team members, clear the obstacles, and cheer them on every step of the way. Together, you'll achieve great things.