What is often obvious to the leader may not be quite so obvious to others. Ever find yourself wondering why your colleagues or team can’t grasp the simple task required of them even though you’ve explained what they need to do? Were you tempted to find a way to motivate, manipulate or, for a fleeting moment, malign them into the producing the results you wanted? These tactics may get reaction, but they are shortsighted and can be costly.
Patiently building loyalty may be a more effective strategy. Consider this…
Paul David Walker, in an interview with CIO.com , observed that one characteristic of Steve Jobs success was his ability “to gain the loyalty of brilliant engineers.” According to Walker, Jobs primarily did that by turning the engineers ideas into a product that would sell and, therefore, becoming the engineers best ally.
Leadership engenders loyalty when the leader is selfless enough to help others benefit from their knowledge, talent, ideas and effort.
Next time you need an individual or a group to perform or produce a specific task, ask how you might become their ally and cooperate in a manner that helps them succeed.