I haven't always had a firm understanding of what leadership means. Too often the glamorous, polarizing characteristics of leadership are emphasized while inadvertently excluding what all goes in behind the scenes and the real responsibility leaders hold. Being the leader is so much more than standing in the spotlight and taking credit for accomplishments. Being the great leader who is willing to stand on the stage and take responsibility when things go wrong does not just happen overnight.
Growing up I heard phrases like I "demonstrated leadership potential" or I had "strong leadership skills" and yet not enough people helped me to clarify what those skills were. Just as likely, I may not have been paying enough attention, or known how to. All the potential in the world means little without a little nurturing. Understandable; growth is rarely easy and learning to drive your own growth even more so.
I had one of the first formal opportunities to be a leader while I was in undergrad at Clemson University. I was passionate about rugby; it was a huge part of the decision to choose Clemson as my college home.
I was ecstatic to be the President of the Clemson Rugby team. I viewed my teammates as a family away from home, and I wanted to help the team to grow. Yet, I did not fully appreciate my role. A leader should not stand apart, siloed thinking it all depends on them. That is a sure way to limit your potential and diminish the goals and accomplishments of your team. That was a hard and frustrating lesson to learn.
I ended up having to take time away from school and rugby due to some unforeseen personal and family circumstances. Whatever my intentions, I had not met my personal goals, and the team was still in a transient state, searching for a full-time head coach and attempting to reinvigorate a culture that had a historic tradition of success. Thankfully, numerous alumni and players were as passionate about the team as I was and it was not long before course corrections led to lasting developments.
Fortunately, I was able to return to school, complete my degree and play rugby again. I learned a few things during my time off and in the years since. My views on leadership have evolved significantly, and my understanding of myself and my role within teams and organizations have grown with me.
Why Do It Alone?
The spring I was President, the Clemson Rugby team struggled with its identity. We were in a transition period, as lots of great teams go through from time to time. The benefit was all of the potential and opportunity on the horizon. Except I was not in sync with my team and what we needed to capitalize on the possibilities. I could not implement lasting change alone, even if I wanted to.
I love the line "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." You can waste so much time and energy trying to do everything by yourself. A better way to make changes is coaching up your teammates, your direct reports, or even leaders above you to bring out the best in everyone. Learn to delegate, ask for help, and recognize the strengths of others. Help put your team members in the position to give their best, do something they enjoy, and they will do the rest themselves, more often than not.
Empower Others
When I was younger and excited just to be in a leadership position, I thought being President was about the prestige and the power to institute changes. Despite my best intentions to develop camaraderie and facilitate growth, I was not the catalyst for positive improvements I hoped I was. I thought by being President my ideas would innately create a better vision and path for the team. It does not work that way. Ideas into action create change.
Great leaders know it is about the team that supports them and the best way to develop a culture of positive change and continual growth is to empower the entire team. Listen to their ideas, facilitate their growth and learning. Provide them support, so in turn, they can better support you. Rising tides raise all ships, and the better the people around you can accomplish their goals, the easier it is for you to steer the ship and accomplish the team goals.
Be Humble, and Prove Yourself
The Clemson Rugby team has risen diligently to become a perennial power in the collegiate rugby world (again). I have witnessed the hard work it has taken; I was a part of it.
The head coach when I returned to Clemson after my time off was amazing. I learned one of my greatest lessons in humility from him. Rugby players are bold and confident, but rather than being arrogant and cocky he demonstrated time and time again the value of taking a broader perspective and being the best at executing your piece of the puzzle. Put your head down and do what you need to do to the best of your abilities. Lead by example and let your work speak for itself.
Not surprisingly then, I was able to have a bigger impact by being my best, most authentic self instead of trying to do too much on my own.
That is a lesson that's critical on the rugby pitch, in the classroom, and in the boardroom.