The Leadership Math Equation

Leadership is too dynamic to be defined as a formula.

But if I had to break it down to simple terms it would be the following:

Connection + Direction = Leadership

Why connection?

• Because relationships are the glue of leadership.

• No one wants to follow someone who doesn’t value, listen or care about them.

• Connected leaders have the trust and respect of their people.

Why direction?

• Because leadership is about getting stuff done together.

• We are naturally drawn towards leaders, but you have to take them somewhere.

• It can be a vision, goal or purpose.

• At the core, leaders need to influential to “move” their team towards success.

1. Connection without direction says, “let’s hang out,” but nothing gets accomplished.

2. Direction without connection says, “follow me,” but when you look behind no one is following.

3. Connection plus direction equals “I serve you, let’s serve together!”

For those who are visual learners think of yourself as boat in a lake.

The wake of a boat creates a current flowing outward both ways.

On one side is connection (people skills) and the other is direction (task management).

Rarely will you find a leader’s style exactly split down the middle, so it’s important to embrace who you are.

A more people-oriented leader values relationships and getting to know people on a personal level.

A more task-oriented leader is focused on getting results.

Both are valuable, but knowing your style will determine whom you need to recruit for help.

Hate to break it to you, but people who are opposite your style compliment your leadership most (those may be the people you naturally clash with).

Think of your blind spots in the side view mirror of your car.

Every leader has blind spots and when you recruit those with differing strengths it shores up where you need help the most.

At a more advanced level, start identifying other’s leadership style to understand how you can work together more effectively.

• For instance, people-oriented leaders care about building relationships. Come alongside them and form connections, but offer organization, time management and strategy help.

• Whereas with task-oriented leaders, make sure you get your work done, but emphasize listening to opinions, showing appreciation and use empathy.

The extremes are easy to identify, but most leaders fall somewhere in the middle of the two sides.

As a leader, you can only control what you do and the more self-aware you become it benefits everyone under your care.

So even if you can’t simplify leadership into a formula, I hope this equation is helpful to you as a leader moving forward.

If this content was helpful to you, reply to this email and do me a favor by passing it on to someone else who would benefit from it also!

God Bless,

Scott

P.S. Here is a simple video illustrating the above!