Inspiration vs. Insecurity
Are you leading from inspiration or leading from insecurity?
When you lead from a place of insecurity, there will be a layer of desired control in your behaviors and communication. No matter what words you use, the goal is conformity. If you have high-functioning leaders on your team, they will sense this from you and you will quietly put a limit on what they will give you.
When you lead from a place of inspiration, there is an enthusiastic release of control. Your messaging and intention unleashes the very best from those on your team. The great become greater - and even the average skilled person may often find another gear when challenged with the gift of trust.
You have to be your own judge on this. There is no one sitting with you in the deep places of your own quiet time to identify this but you. One way to help is with an honest review of your communication with your direct reports.
If you have an objective you are working on with your team, and the majority of your communication and energy is spent on what you are trying to accomplish and why it is so important - you are likely leading out of inspiration. You are fueling the creative entrepreneurial spirit of your team and the great ones are going to rise up and find a way - maybe even a way that you would have never thought of.
If you are spending more time on how an objective needs to be accomplished, you may be playing in the space of insecurity. If your team is picking up that the most important thing is going after this objective in the way that you are dictating, their own creativity is not being employed and the goal may feel more like doing what you say, versus getting where you want to go.
Take a look back at the last week or two of your communication and how you spent your time. Give yourself an honest critique and be brave enough to adjust where needed.
