Leadership is Showing Up

Be there

When people are looking to you, you can’t just phone it in.

Be there when your people need you.

Consider how presidents and governors visit the damaged areas after a natural disaster. They are not contributing to the clean-up by performing surgeries on injured citizens, or running a bulldozer to remove debris, or repairing downed power lines.

But being there matters.

Their people perceive that showing up means that they care (and not showing up demonstrates that the leader does NOT care). Showing up helps the people psychologically. The leader cares. The leader knows about their problems. The leader will do something to fix it.

When there is a serious problem, be there for your people. Ask them what they need. Ask how you can help. Really listen. And then follow-through.

As leaders, we are in positions in our organizations to make things better for our people. Advocate with the C-Suite for what your people need. Get them the training and equipment they need to prevent future problems. Be proactive in addressing issues before they become catastrophes.

(Photo by Mayank Baranwal on Unsplash)