Too often when leadership is discussed the focus is solely oriented toward the relationship between the subordinate and the leader. But good leaders are influential on multiple levels. These levels are up, down and around. The influential power of good leaders are not limited to just the group they directly lead, they also create influence among peers and supervisors.
Certainly each leader must remain focused on attending to those within their group of followers, because a lack of concerned interaction will render them completely ineffective. Most leaders soon learn that subordinates will only put forth as much effort as they perceive that their leadership is willing to invest into the same activity. And a leader that does not take time to get to know individuals will miss out on pivotal personal interactions.
Another important group is a leader’s peers. Leader peers can make life easier by providing feedback and personal experiences. Influence between peers can also help foster a sense of appreciation for one another and the different challenges each leader faces. By interacting with peers, leaders can get valuable input from an outside source that is not directly related to their group.
Interestingly enough inadequate attention to one’s supervisors can also cause ineffectiveness as a leader. This is because if the subordinate leader is unable to shape expectations and decisions of the next higher level, they will forever be subject to direct input, without any “vote”. This can have devastating effects on the leader and the led, because if the situation is not corrected a sense of helplessness ensues as everyone begins to feel that they are nothing more than a cog.
Certainly each leader must remain focused on attending to those within their group of followers, because a lack of concerned interaction will render them completely ineffective. Most leaders soon learn that subordinates will only put forth as much effort as they perceive that their leadership is willing to invest into the same activity. And a leader that does not take time to get to know individuals will miss out on pivotal personal interactions.
Another important group is a leader’s peers. Leader peers can make life easier by providing feedback and personal experiences. Influence between peers can also help foster a sense of appreciation for one another and the different challenges each leader faces. By interacting with peers, leaders can get valuable input from an outside source that is not directly related to their group.
Interestingly enough inadequate attention to one’s supervisors can also cause ineffectiveness as a leader. This is because if the subordinate leader is unable to shape expectations and decisions of the next higher level, they will forever be subject to direct input, without any “vote”. This can have devastating effects on the leader and the led, because if the situation is not corrected a sense of helplessness ensues as everyone begins to feel that they are nothing more than a cog.
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