My editor called my last entry a “pretty bleak outlook” and I have to agree. I like to bring balance to the world, so this month we are going to focus on positive leadership. I want to talk today about being a source of light instead of shadow.
Dr. T.P. Hall was a part time teacher in my Executive MBA program. Retired from the Georgia State School of Business, T.P. (as he asked us to call him) was every inch the seasoned old man who clearly loved to share his accumulated wisdom. One afternoon, he abandoned his Power Point presentation and spoke to us directly. Now, I talked about one of the things he told us already when I talked about him in Working in the Wake, but he gave us two gems that day (one of the most memorable days of teaching I have ever had). This second Gem was:
“Bask in the reflected glory of your subordinates.”
Of course, he went on to explain how it helps you as a leader. Other leaders will see who you hired and groomed and what they accomplished. You are going to get credit for good outcomes of your subordinates, there is no reason to try to outshine them. In fact, if you have good shining stars about you, the reflected light will be far brighter than you can achieve on your own. Stars that are encouraged to shine will tend to shine more.
We have the saying “casts a shadow” by which we mean making a situation seem less hopeful and more likely to end badly or spoiling a good situation with something unpleasant. While this can be caused by random events, sometimes it is a person is casting a shadow. More recently, the term “throwing shade” has gained in popularity, as a subtle expression of contempt for another. Those who feel compelled to cover another with shadow are often trying to cope with their own feelings of inferiority. This can be doubly hard for them to manage, when one of their subordinates is outshining them. To return to our stars, those thrown into shadow will decide maybe shining in not worth it. While it might feel good in the moment to take the credit for your subordinate, in the long run it is in your best benefit. It is lying to others and to yourself, and ultimately, does nothing to help your sense of inferiority. Instead, celebrate with your subordinates. Give them the credit for good outcomes. Support the success and brag on your team, not yourself. Who looks stronger, the leader who takes all the credit, or the one who shares it? The honest answer is that leaders who share credit always appear to be stronger and it makes you a stronger leader.
“Bask in the reflected glory of your subordinates.”
There is more than enough light for you.
Thanks, again, T.P.
Bryan G. Stephens is a former executive on a mission to transform the workplace. He is the founder and CEO of TalkForward, a consulting and training company, utilizing Bryan’s clinical and management expertise to develop managers and teams in a corporate environment. As a licensed therapist with strong understanding of developing human potential, he is dedicated to the development of Human Capital to meet the needs of leaders, managers, and employees in the 21st Century workplace.
Bryan has an Executive MBA from Kennesaw State University, Coles School of Business, and both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
