In this week's podcast (just posted this morning-- you can get it on itunes--just type in "leadingthoughts" and it will bring it up), I talked about the midwife as a metaphor for 21st century leaders. One of the similarities between midwives and great leaders is that both understand what I will call the "dance of proximity."
Great leaders know how to maneuver in the teamspace. Understanding the right proximity to a team member (as his or her leader) requires the leader to read the situation, the person and the other dynamics at play in the present moment. Sometimes leaders need to move closer to an employee and provide development and wisdom. I posted something earlier (see below) on proximity coaching that you can read. It details some ideas when you need to move closer to an employee. At other times though, there at times that you need to give an employee space.
So..here are some ideas about making space for employees:
How do you know it's time to make space for an employee:
When you're always rescuing him/her and thereby thwarting growth
When you've clearly defined a project and you're tempted to swoop in early and see "how it's going"
When you've given a leadership role to an employee and you need to let him/her find his/her own leadership voice
Ways to create space:
Bite your tongue
Take a walk
Smile
Seek feedback to see how things are going and ask if the employee needs help. If he/she says "no" refer back to 1-3.
Seriously, one of the hardest things for a leader is to create space and then let others flourish in that space. But, if leaders don't, employees will never develop or thrive.
So, sometimes we need to move closer and other times we need to detach a bit. Each person and each situation will require you to "read" what is needed. Once you know what's needed, Do it!
Dave
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