I was talking to a man who has had the opportunity to lead in the private sector and now serves at a local level in the public sector. This leader who moved from Ames, Iowa to the Indianapolis, Indiana area to work for a medical equipment company and eventually owned one for well over a decade. After selling this company he entered public service.
While we talked, my goal was to understand his top leadership principles. Before diving into his top three principles, I learned the core of his success is his optimism. This optimism carried him through multiple business setbacks which I do not have time to cover here. 
This is not a Pollyanna, roses and sunshine optimism. A deeply embedded determination rooted in optimism that there is a solution and he just has to find it. This echoes Napoleon Hill’s idea when he says:
“a few people know from experience the soundness of persistence. They are the ones who have not accepted defeat as being anything more than temporary.”
Combined with his optimism a few principles have risen to be guides in how he leads.
Empathy
In shifting from the private sector to the public sector this skill has grown. As a business owner it can be tempting to lead in a dictatorial manner which may be “easy”, but not healthy. When we take this posture, we lead at a position level of leadership. This works . . . until it doesn’t. I am not suggesting Jeff was a dictatorial leader when he owned his business, but when one shifts from business owner to public service, they have less power.
This is where empathy comes in. As a leader he had to take time to “walk in another man’s shoes.” This ability enables him to lead at what John Maxwell calls a “permission” level of leadership based on relationships. If we want to win the hearts of those we lead empathy helps others know we care. When they know we care they are more inclined to follow our lead.
Humility
Young leaders are often tempted to think they must have all the answers. Through his years of experience in life and leadership Jeff understands this is not the case. Not only does he understand this, but he is willing to admit he does not have all the answers. This posture has enabled him to understand his weaknesses and fill those weak areas with people who are strong where he is not.
This humility combines with the empathy described previously. Jeff suggested that for one to have empathy “my feelings have to be superseded by our/your feelings.” In other words, we must put the needs of others in front of our personal needs and as a public servant this is crucial. I would also suggest a leader in any sector will greatly benefit from this frame of mind.
Communication
As I work with leaders and organizations this is the biggest area of challenge. Communication has multiple layers and Jeff emphasized the importance of constant communication as a leader. What makes this so important? Collaboration.
A healthy organization or team is collaborative which opens the door to creativity. This collaboration can eliminate always dealing with the “squeaky wheel.” At times as leaders we must simply inform, but I will dive deeper into collaboration and informing in a later post. For now, the important principle is that we must communicate often as leaders especially when we are leading a large group of people.
While wrapping up our time Jeff shared with his biggest leadership idea which I want to share with you.
“No matter what challenge you receive it will get better as you pursue the right thing and keep pushing on with great people around you.”
Leadership is not easy and growing as a leader is critical. Jeff has modeled that in his growth in the above listed areas. Which of these areas do you need to grow in? Need help thinking into that growth? Schedule a thirty-minute thinking partner session at no cost to you so I can help you think into your leadership results. Lead Well.
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