How to Inspire Your Team to Greatness Simply By Showing Confidence In Them
I just watched the Philadelphia Eagles handle the San Francisco 49ers.
I’m not the football fan I used to be, so I had little attachment to the result, but I noticed this: The 49ers dug really deep in their attempt to pull it out. They were down to their fourth-string quarterback, and they even used a running back as a wildcat quarterback on occasion. Against the NFC’s best team, they didn’t throw in the towel. They sought to find a way.
We’ve all been there.
You work hard all quarter to get to the big game or presentation only to have the electricity go out, get a flat tire or have somebody crucial out sick. Whenever you have to battle Goliath with one hand tied behind your back, you dig deep and find a way. You have to be resourceful and scrappy enough to make it to the finish line.
Many of my clients are business owners or team managers, and motivating people is one of their biggest challenges. I remind them:
People look up to them; people look to them for guidance and inspiration. Their team is looking for their manager to believe in them so they can be their best selves.
‘Sound corny enough to be in a self-help book?
Every time I have this conversation, I’m reminded of one of my mentors, the late, great Chuck Vandermause, who led a leadership program I was in about 20 years ago. The coveted bonus part of the program was to lead a successful sales presentation to a real paying customer which would qualify a few of us to be promoted. Only 10-20 percent would be successful. I really wanted to be one of them.
I spent weeks organizing the event: getting a location, inviting sales prospects, gathering materials, clearing phone calls and recruiting a colleague. I led successfully on the day before the last opportunity to be promoted. I was thrilled!
It didn’t last long because Chuck called me to say I was disqualified by a technicality and would not be promoted. My emotions yo-yoed from up to down instantly. But then Chuck said something I’ll never forget. He said, “Brett, I request you to lead again today.
If anyone can do it, you can.”
I’d never had anyone believe in me like that. My parents were encouraging, but they took great care in painting a “realistic” picture of my abilities. What Chuck was asking was nearly impossible. There was so much work, so many layers to organize this thing; who was I to boldly call in so many favors, make that many requests and get this thing together?
It spurred me to action like never before. That day I also had to work for my job and honor a volunteer commitment, but I was nevertheless resourceful in organizing an impromptu presentation. It was difficult and took all my focus, but it was exhilarating. I found a way to get it all together and lead successfully once more; I got the promotion!
Looking back, it resides in my memory as one of my favorite accomplishments because of what it revealed about myself. But, as a leader,
Chuck showed me the power of having confidence in someone else.
Sadly Chuck’s gone, so I can’t ask him, but I know he believed every word he said when he gave me that inspiration. He was that kind of guy. He was that kind of leader.
What kind of leader are you with your people?
~ Brett
Fundamental of the Week #13: FIND A WAY
Look for how we can do it rather than explaining why it can’t be done. Take personal responsibility. Be innovative, assertive and take initiative.
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