I realize not everyone who reads this is a CEO or an owner of their own business and even at home they probably share power between two adults even if they are not living in the same home. Can you still be a leader without power? How do you lead when you have to enact someone else’s agenda?
There are two ways this can work. One is where you are treated and expected to act like a subordinate while the other method is to be a follower. A subordinate – submits to the authority figure and does what he or she is told while a follower is something different.
When I was studying for my Masters in Organizational Leadership I spent an entire course exploring the concept of followership. This was an eye opening experience. All of us in the class felt like we were beating a dead horse spending so much time on the topic, but for some reason this concept has really stuck with me.
Ian Chaleff provides a unique perspective on what it means to be a follower. In his book The Courageous Follower he says: “A follower shares a common purpose with the leader, believes in what the organization is trying to accomplish, wants both the leader and organization to succeed, and works energetically to this end.”
What does this mean? The individual who is a leader within the middle of an organization has more power than he or she may think. A leader is an individual who influences others, therefore positional power is not necessary but influence is. As Chaleff suggests, the leader and follower share a common purpose which the follower can speak to with his or her influence.
How do we lead without power? Here are a few thoughts:
Build strong relationships with those we lead.
Connecting with those we lead will create the foundation for leadership that we need in order to be able to win their trust and hopefully buy-in to our vision. Whether at work or home this is critical.
Connect with a leader whose vision we believe in.
If we do not believe in the organization’s purpose and vision and are just collecting a paycheck and getting by, we are being subordinates. If we believe in the vision we will naturally desire to help the leader accomplish the vision.
Lead from our position by speaking up.
Share ideas and show results from those ideas in a manner that moves the organization closer to the ultimate goal. If the boss asks you to do something, suggest a way to add to the task in a manner that will make it better and watch both you and the organization grow.
When you look at this list if one of these three cannot be accomplished then what needs to change? I realize sometimes you may serve a leader who will not embrace the third suggestion. If that is the reality and no change is on the horizon you may need to look for a new leader to follow. If you do not believe in the leader’s vision a change must occur. When you evaluate the relationships with those you lead do they feel connected to you and vice versa.
Lead without power by adding value to the leader, but if the above suggestions need to change do you need to change or do you need to adjust your situation? Remember, you are a leader because as leadership expert John Maxwell states “leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.” Follow well at work and home and you will lead well too.
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