By Jason W. Hughes
“Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say.”
– Andy Stanley
The Question: How can I be a better leader for you?
Oftentimes, we think our leadership style is amazing. After all, it got you to where you are. The leaders I grew up under never asked me this question, so why should I?
One-size-fits-all leadership is outdated and stale. Like an entrepreneur, you must seek to develop solutions for your consumer. Each subordinate requires different leadership, you have to ask them what they need.
The subordinate will be hesitant to tell you. The look of shock should not surprise you. Initially, the subordinate will start to tell you what they like about your leadership. Stop them. Give them a minute to think what they need. Then restart them by repeating the question. How can I be a better leader for you?
You must be prepared to do five things when you ask the question.
- Listen – You must let them tell you how you can be better. Sit back and actively listen, take notes, and clarify if needed. Do not push back or explain why you are the way you are. If you do, those you lead will not answer the question next time.
- Tell – After each insight, I informed my Senior Enlisted Advisor about the feedback and asked them to hold me accountable to it.
- Plan – Block off time on the calendar and be deliberate about addressing their needs. While that might not seem genuine or authentic, you are building a habit for a blind spot you were unaware of. After time, it will become natural, but until then plan.
- Execute – Follow through on the things they need to thrive in your organization…consistently. Show them you are listening to them and do it routinely. This is not a one and done action. To build trust you must follow through.
- Follow Up – Reengage to ensure you are meeting their needs AND ask the question again. Often, the initial answer is just a test to see if you are serious about changing. What else do they need to thrive in the organization you lead?
The question helped me understand my blind spots. When I attended the Commanders Assessment Program (CAP), I was not surprised by the areas I needed to address. Those I led had already told me. CAP taught me that I did not do enough to address those blind spots. I am grateful for the Army coaching program to help me find tools to address those in a more complete way.
The Army continues to increase the number of coaches at echelon. I recommend leveraging the program as new or familiar responses are illuminated from the question. Just as we try to make units, people, and enterprises better, we should leverage the services available to leaders to make us better. A better you equals a better culture to grow future leaders.
It starts with the moral courage to ask a question. How can I be a better leader for you? Follow the five steps and ask your leaders to do the same. I promise you that each time you ask the answers will become more insightful as you build trust across your organization.
Jason Hughes is presently the Commander of the 6th Medical Logistics Management Center and can be found on LinkedIn, manages the Medical Service Corps Leader Development Facebook page, and writes for The Medical Leader.
