Three Minute Leadership -The Drawbacks of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Leadership
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
In his Leadership Wired article, “The Drawbacks of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Leadership,” John Maxwell, leadership author, speaks about the great leaders’ passion for self-sufficiency. There is a great sense of pride in their desire to go-at-it-alone, in challenging and stretching themselves to their limits to find something new in themselves. There are times, however, when the particular endeavor goes beyond their capabilities, yet their pride holds them back from seeking help. Given the multitude and size of the opportunities they face, Maxwell states: “Leaders are needy. Not in the sense of being at an emotional deficit, but in the sense of having a vision that’s too large to accomplish single-handedly. Leaders need other people to join them in order to have any hope of seeing their vision come to fruition.” He writes:
“As industrialist Andrew Carnegie observed, ‘It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone.’ One is too small of a number to achieve greatness. Leaders have to face up to their inability to ‘go-it-alone’ and enlist others in pursuit of the vision.”
There is great value in letting-go of this strong self-reliance and involving others. It allows the people whom they serve to be engaged – to have the opportunity to demonstrate the talents and skills that they are excited to the table; to show their worth; to be acknowledged and respected for their value. Maxwell writes of all of us: “The bottom line is that people have a universal need to be needed… [and]… an innate need to be involved in something significant.” What a magnificent win-win for everyone.
Learn to be vulnerable to your neediness, while continuing to respect the strength and pride of your self-reliance. Your magnificent vision of the world you are creating need the hands and hearts of others to bring them to richer reality than you know. In growing your dreams, grow others. In fulfilling your needs, serve others to fulfill theirs. As Lao Tzu, philosopher and founder of Taoism , wrote: “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” Let your neediness be one of your greatest strengths, not a weakness. Be more than you ever dreamed you could be… and more… so much more.
Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!
Mike