Behind-the-Scenes Leadership
“To lead the people, walk behind them.”
~ Lao Tzu
Every morning my mom would get up before anyone else in our house in order to get ready to go to school where she taught high school chemistry for some 30 plus years. Each morning she made breakfast for herself, my dad, brother, sister and me. I can still see those scrambled eggs, grits, bacon, toast or biscuits waiting for me on a plate or bowl covered in aluminum foil to keep it warm when I slept in. She was a behind-the-scenes leader, working in a hundred different ways to make our lives better so we could be better at the lives we were living.
At the time, I had very little awareness, appreciation or understanding of how she worked and sacrificed behind-the-scenes in our house to get our family started each day. As I grew in my own leadership, I began to grasp the importance of the small things, done without notice, that make it possible for people to do their work well. For every employee “perk” or opportunity provided, someone has to think of it and execute it. That work falls to the leader who knows the difference that can be made when the small things are taken care of. It falls to the leader who knows the “difference” makes all the difference.
This week, as we are giving thanks, I want to thank you for the little things you do for your organization and your employees. It is the behind-the-scenes leaders who really make others’ jobs and performances possible. Thank you for being dependable, being trustworthy and for inspiring others by your selfless actions. As a leader you wear a lot of hats. You are coaching your people, training them how to perform, how to serve and how to be a leader. You are appreciated for what you do.
Who is the best behind-the-scenes leader in your life and why? Send an email to me at Jeff@jeffmcmanus.com. Let me know.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Jeff
