It’s Halloween, and people are wearing costumes, which causes me to think about the many different costumes leaders wear as they navigate the continual changing environments in which they lead. One of the things we know about situational leadership is that with solutions to challenges that leaders face, one size does not fit all. The best leaders have the discernment and finesse to evaluate a situation, consider all the different ways to deal with the problems, choose just the right plan of action, then skillfully implement procedures to put things back on track for success. Seldom are two problems exactly the same, so seldom are the solutions and actions that address them the same either. Good leaders are able to figure out what is needed and get right to putting the new plan into action. In a sense, they know what costume they need to wear, and their closet is filled with many different ones. One day a leader needs to be a big hairy gorilla, other days, they need to dress as a surgeon. Some days require jungle attire and a machete for hacking through the high brush, then other days a big cowboy hat to keep the heat off our shoulders and sun out of our eyes. I think you get the picture. No two days in a leader’s life are the same, so, each needs a different costume. I came across a great quote as I was doing research for a project which really states well how a leader must function with agility. Galagan stated, “They must have the mindfulness of a guru, the focus of an athlete, the nerves of a skydiver, and the adaptive power of a spy!”
Now, with all that said, another thing a great leader needs to remember is that though they may be wearing different costumes for changing situations, underneath their costume they should be the same person every time one of their followers comes in contact with them. Just because they are wearing a costume, they don’t have the luxury of changing their basic behavior. They must be the same leader, because the people whom we lead trust us because over time we have earned the right to be trusted. When our integrity is consistent, people learn to trust us. When our attitudes are consistent, people learn to trust us. When the way we treat people is consistent, people learn to trust us. Even when we have to change our methods and strategies for dealing with the issues of running an organization, or even a family, we must be trustworthy. People should never wonder who is going to show up, regardless of the costume we are wearing. Integrity, credibility, and trust are non-negotiable keys to leading well. Change the costume, but not the leader!
Lead well.