Sometimes Leaders Need to Get the Boot

Today I stood up to a guy right in front of his boss. I challenged him, the former leader, to change his position and give up his position of power. He had fallen from that position though no fault of his own, yet, he didn't deserve the power that he desired.

Yep! I challenged a 5 year old today, right in front of his dad. Here's what happened:

Jason, this little boy who I challenged is at school first nearly every day. He takes his rightful position of line leader. This means that he is the first boy in his class to enter the school after the kids walk in a straight line in from the parking lot; where they say The Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Today, as in the last few days, my son Jeremy and I thought that he was going to be first but right before he got there, another boy landed the coveted position. Today, it was another boy, Cory. Every day, my son Jeremy takes the second spot and doesn't grumble.

Today, the first kid was Cory, and Jeremy was second. When Jason arrived, he plopped his backpack on the line right in front of Cory. I started chatting with his dad and his son got comfortable. That's when I had a decision to make. Did I challenge the kid in front of his dad? Was it fair that he gets used to being the leader every single day even though he didn't deserve it today? I decided YES.. I was willing to challenge his position.

So I said to this 'future leader of America', "you know Jason, you're going to have to get behind Jeremy today because you weren't here first today". I turned to his dad and said, "Yah, you know how important the line leader is in kindergarten!" I then said to Jason, "Jeremy wants to be the line leader every day, and you beat him every day and so you get to be it! Today it's Cory's turn since HE was first". At the very suggestion that he wasn't going to be in the first position, Jason tried to enroll his father at taking his position. He told him he WANTED to be the line leader? PLEEEAASE!!" His dad made him move and Cory moved back into first. Jason wasn't happy, but he obliged.

Okay, so maybe I stuck my nose in a place where it didn't belong. Maybe I'm pushing competitiveness among the kids. But, perhaps it's what gets my son MOVING in the morning. It's the GOAL that he wants to achieve. He WANTS to be line leader. He WANTS to get dressed because he might get to lead the line into the school that morning. So for us, it's worth it to get rewarded for a job well done. It's my way of teaching Jeremy goal setting and how good it feels to accomplish what he achieved.

I liked it also how the parent accepted my challenge. He was fine with my correction and he supported me. Of course I was nice about it, but I keep hearing how parents aren't doing what is right by their kids. So many of them don't WANT to interfere and so they don't. Could it be that they just don't want to take responsibility? As parents, we should be willing to be involved. After all, we are their role models.

Yes, I stuck my neck out for the kids. I didn't let the usual leader return to his position when he didn't deserve it. And I know that tomorrow, Jeremy WILL be the line leader, even if we have to get up 1/ 2 hour early!

How about in your life? Is there anyone in your company that doesn't deserve to be where they are? Are they still in a position that they shouldn't be? Have you been patient long enough?

Have you considered that it might be time to demote that person and to ask them to take a step backwards? Is there someone you need to encourage to go into counseling? Is there anyone whose drinking habits are running interference with their work? Do you think it may be time to realize that they are doing more harm than good to your company?

Managing people takes care, concern and a lot of planning. It takes dedication to knowing the strengths of the people you manage and knowing what they can handle and what they can not.

And when you approach the leader who isn't pulling his weight or needs a bit of encouraging to get with the program, make sure you are direct, sympathetic, and of course respectful.

Because who knows, YOU may be the next one who will be challenged to wake up and get going.

Mary Gardner is an Executive Communications Consultant and Coach. She works with, coaches and trains individuals, sales teams, executives, and celebrities. She enjoys seeing the best come out in people and has fun in the process. Mary is married to Sway and is mommy to Jeremy 5 and lives in Orlando, FL.

For More information: mary@marygardner.com
WEB: www.marygardner.com

---

Trust - The Most Vital Component in Leadership

"Trust is the emotional glue that binds followers and... Read More

Reinventing Failure: Designing Success

I am fascinated by problems. I like to think of... Read More

Teen View of Leadership From Around the World

It has been stated that the world of tomorrow will... Read More

The Metamorphosis of the Successful Executive . . . Overcoming Professional Stagnation

You're a bright, successful business executive making good money and... Read More

Peek Inside The Heads of Amazingly Successful Leaders

Would you like to know what really goes on inside... Read More

The Goals of Leadership Coaching and Partnerships

Webster's Dictionary describes a "partner" as an ally or an... Read More

What Does Exceptional Business Success Require of Us?

To excel in business we need conscious command of all... Read More

In Leadership, Identifying Dreams That Lead To Great Results

History teaches that when people needed to do great things,... Read More

Leadership A Perspective From Tao

Tao Te Ching said to be written by Lao Tzu... Read More

The SAMMER Test: Leading People To Get The Right Results At the Right Time In The Right Way

As a leader, you do nothing more important than get... Read More

A Call to Men to Live a Strenuous Life!

Any man would be justly proud to claim even a... Read More

Miraculous Leadership

It was a time of turmoil. In November 1979, supporters... Read More

Leadership: Wisdom of the Ages

If you gather 100 experienced leaders together to share with... Read More

Ten Characteristics of Leadership

Many people are interested in the characteristics of a great... Read More

Leadership - Connect to Engage!

It's been said many times that true leadership is measured... Read More

What We Can Learn From J. Paul Getty

J. Paul Getty planned to enter the U.S. Diplomatic Service,... Read More

Women in Leadership - How to Get Promoted

It is often much harder for women to get promoted... Read More

Why You Should Ignore This Advice

Doesn't make too much sense does it? Am I really... Read More

3 Ds For Leadership Action... Dedicate, Direct, Dialogue!

"...And winged hope, with heart of fire, To gain the... Read More

You Make The Difference

What do you think makes your company successful? Your newest... Read More

Why Not Lead With Emotions?

Studies have shown that companies that have acquired competencies to... Read More

The Four Laws Of Leadership (Part Two)

In Part One, I described the laws of motivation. In... Read More

Wanted: A Dictionary-Perfect Leader

Answers are often before our very eyes or in front... Read More

Two Leadership Traps: How To Get Out Of Them and How To Avoid Them (Part 1)

You've heard of the Peter Principle: "People are promoted to... Read More

Blowing Your Own Leadership Horn

There are two streams of competitiveness running through every organization.... Read More

Career Advice for Business Leaders: Empowering Others

Many potential leaders in business sabotage themselves and their organizations... Read More

The Code of the Conference Leader

Are your meetings generally a waste of time? Do you... Read More

Coaching a Leader

One of my favorite memories growing up as a child... Read More

Chris Top 7 Favorite Leadership Books

1. The West Point Way of Leadership.GREAT book by a... Read More

Are You Playing or Practicing Leadership?

Anne was a new supervisor, and like many new supervisors... Read More

7 AAA Ways To Succeed!

[Abounding Abundant Ample Ways To Boost Your Growth!] This may... Read More

Fighting the Gravitational Pull of Positional Leadership

A little on leadership?Many people enter the leadership world through... Read More

Wisdom From The Rock

He grew up in Brooklyn, the son of an ex-con... Read More