High Road Leadership: The Sixth Tenet – Leaders Place People Above Their Own Agenda
In our exploration of High Road Leadership, we’ve now reached the sixth tenet: “Leaders Place People Above Their Own Agenda.” This principle challenges us to prioritize the needs and well-being of others over our aspirations.
Understanding the Value of Placing People Above Your Agenda
High-road leaders prioritize the well-being and success of their team above personal interests. They invest in others, foster a culture of trust and respect, and cultivate emotional intelligence to build meaningful connections. They exemplify exceptional leadership by valuing every individual and making decisions based on integrity and moral principles. This approach not only creates a positive work environment but also leads to higher employee satisfaction and productivity.,
The Power of Placing People Above Your Agenda
Placing people above your own agenda means valuing all individuals and actively contributing to their growth and well-being. It’s about recognizing and embracing the shared human experience while also distinguishing our unique gifts from our personal identity. This approach involves not only recognizing the inherent worth and potential in others but also actively empowering them to recognize and unleash their value. By fostering an environment that nurtures and supports individuals, we can collectively create a positive and transformative impact in the world.
A Life Story about a Leader that Did Not Put People Above Their Own Agenda
Unfortunately, too often we see leaders who prioritize their personal interests over the needs of those they lead. These individuals may achieve short-term success but ultimately fail to create a lasting impact or positive change. One example is former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling, who was known for his ruthless approach to business and disregard for ethical practices. While he may have achieved financial success in the short-term, his actions ultimately led to the downfall of Enron and caused immense harm to many employees and investors. This serves as a cautionary tale for leaders who prioritize their own agenda above the well-being of others.
The tale of Enron’s former CEO, Jeff Skilling, serves as a stark reminder of the perils of prioritizing personal ambition over ethical leadership. Charismatic yet callous, Skilling’s relentless pursuit of profit and aggressive business tactics fostered a toxic corporate environment. His leadership, while initially successful in financial terms, led to one of the most infamous corporate collapses in history, inflicting severe repercussions on employees, investors, and the broader financial community. Skilling’s downfall exemplifies the crucial need for leaders to place people and principles above personal gain—to build a legacy that is both ethical and enduring.
Living Out Putting People Above Your Own Agenda: Action Steps
In the journey to becoming a leader who genuinely places people above their own ambitions, here are seven actionable steps you can take:
- Practice Active Listening: Make a conscious effort to listen more than you speak, giving others the space to express themselves without interruption. I remember a colleague who always held a notebook, jotting down not just what was said but the feelings behind the words. It’s a practice I’ve adopted, and it’s remarkable how it opens lines of communication.
- Invest in Relationships: Take the extra time to learn about your team members’ goals, challenges, and passions. My experience in nursing taught me that relationships are not just about tasks, but about the person behind those tasks. A personal connection can make all the difference.
- Embrace Empathy: Put yourself in others’ shoes to understand their perspective. I often recall John Maxwell’s wise words, “Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but ahead enough to motivate them.”
- Provide Opportunities for Growth: Encourage your team to pursue their interests and career goals, and facilitate opportunities for their development. Remember, “a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”, James Keller.
- Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge and appreciate the achievements of others, recognizing their hard work genuinely and publicly. Just as flowers bloom with sunlight, people flourish with recognition.
- Decision-making with Integrity: Before making decisions, question how they will impact the well-being of the people involved. The best choices are not necessarily the easiest but are the ones that align with moral principles.
- Reflect and Adjust: Routinely assess your leadership style and be willing to make changes. When I founded JAKelly Consulting, I made a personal commitment to continuous improvement, not just for the business, but for myself as a leader.
Conclusion: Placing People Above Your Own Agenda
In conclusion, placing people above our own agenda is one of the 11 tenets of high road leadership according to John C. Maxwell. Tenet 6, “Place people above their your own agenda,” emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership priorities with the well-being and growth of others. Leaders who exemplify this tenet are committed to serving their teams and communities, ensuring that collective needs and aspirations are addressed, even when it entails personal sacrifice or additional effort.
Call to Action:
Reflect on your leadership style—are you truly prioritizing the needs and success of others, or are your decisions more self-centric? Assess areas where you can shift your focus from personal agendas to the collective good. Start by identifying one action you can commit to this week to support someone else’s growth or well-being. Let’s strive to lift others, as the success of our teams, organizations, and communities ultimately becomes our shared success.