Expectations from a Leader

Today, I just presented my monthly reports to my District Manager. We have discussed my store's business performance, which somehow has a very favorable result. Being in a retail store, our main focus is delivering high-quality customer service in order to ensure "repeat business" or customers to continually trust our products and visit our store more often.

While reporting, I mentioned several times that this success was not made by me alone, but with the efforts of all my partners (barista as subordinates).

After reporting, my District Manager commended me for being a good leader in appreciating my partners' effort. That with this kind of behavior, she said I will go long way in the company as a great leader.

Leader

How does it really to become a leader? Is it really the leader that makes the "success"?

I remember watching a video from EOS.IO presentation in Korea, And here it is...

^{Credits to Derek Sivers}

The video has just represented that leader is being created because of the followers, without the followers to believe in him/her, then the "leader" has no purpose at all.

Yes, the leader will take all the credits, and a good leader should share the victory with his followers. Because the leader is not "leader" if is alone. And if he/she is alone, success wouldn't be possible as no one will believe in all of his principles.

In Steemit
there are a lot of leaders that are creating a group. A group which supports each other. Like the two that I joined in, @steemph and @steemitfamilyph, I do not know who the leaders of the two groups are. But I was just invited by a people whom I trust and happened to be believing in this group's vision.

Observing these two groups, they have visions that made me stay and believe with them and support them all the way. But again, it is not the leader who invited me, but a follower as well, but because of overwhelming support with each other, I stayed.

In my position
I cannot do it alone, I cannot meet our goals alone and I need supporters and followers who will believe in my all my action plans and principles. Not because I am their superior, but because we are reaching our goals as one team.

And I cannot take all the credits, as my action plan cannot be executed without followers.

Celebrate small victories

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Along the journey, we may pass through obstacles. Obstacles that will test our strengths as a team and as a leader. Some may fail, some may win.

Being part of the management team for several years, I had faced several circumstances that almost broke our team. Since the pressure is on, some have raised their white flags and left the rest of the team fighting. Fighting for success.

Though we surpassed the obstacles, we still didn't reach our goal. But finishing the obstacles safe and sound, we should still celebrate that victory. Anyways, the trip is still not yet done, we can still try to drive and treat the past as key learning and never will do the same again.

In that way, followers will be moralized, motivated and passionate about what they are doing. And will continue to trust us as a leader. And to celebrate "small victories", don't forget to appreciate a follower, a simple token will always do.

In this way, followers will be more passionate to do their best.

And never forget to develop a follower to be a leader.

Coach

As a leader, you are expected to be a coach, coach to create a leader.

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Coaching is vital when it comes to creating a leader, and a good leader is a good coach. You should find a way to pass the skills and sometimes accept the fact that somebody could be a better leader than you. We are just human, and there is always better than us. They just needed your guidance.

To coach is to train another individual whom you've seen a potential, and for us to be successful in every action plan, coaching is needed for your followers to know how to achieve such goals.

In a basketball game, our goal is to win, the coach being on a bench watching the game. He can see an opportunity to score. But take note that he is not in the ring and plays as the player. So, being a coach you should also learn to listen to the players and ask for their opinions and suggestions on how is it possible to execute the play.

In this way of thinking, unknowingly, you are creating a leader, which in a basketball game is the "captain".

Role-Model

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As a leader, you should be a role-model, lead by example. How can we be successful if us a leader will not do the expectations we have from our followers. "walk the talk", do those things that you want your follower to do. Afterall, we are a leader and not a "boss".

Leader - leading the team towards success and celebrate as a team.
Boss - "directing" the team towards success and claim it alone.

Advisor

The leader is well knowledgeable about the plans. Which sometimes, some followers couldn't follow.

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Sometimes, a follower quit the game because he/she doesn't feel important as he/she is being neglected by the leader. They have a lot of questions that needed an answer but being overlooked. As a leader, we should be an "advisor".

Take the time to talk with your follower. As a leader, our advice is a treasure to them. Learn to ask beyond the field of work, as sometimes, a follower has some other things to think of. And always prepare an advice.

Mentor

Having all of these traits, you will never fail to be a mentor. Mentoring is sharing all your experiences. And since all the traits of being a "leader" were in you, you will be trusted by your followers. There, you will become a mentor.

They will see you as a hero, no matter where they are. Especially, when they are already in the same position as you are. It's the best reward that you'll ever receive.

These are the traits that I've seen from my leaders. Up until now, I still never forget them as my mentor. They are the who hones me to be in this position.

Today, I cannot say that I am "leader", but I am just the second dancer who invites more to join in my beliefs of our leader.

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Thank You!

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UPVOTE, FOLLOW, RESTEEM