Who do you work for?

Logic responds that we all work for our employer.  In a macro sense this is quite true.  After all, someone else is signing our cheque so that is who we work for.

Allow me to offer another option, one reserved for those in positions of leadership.  I submit that those who lead by inspiring their team members actually work for these same team members.   How so…?

As the leader you set the goals and objectives.  It may be an interpretation of the larger corporate goals, but there are specific team outcomes that you need to accomplish.  Once these are set, your job is to facilitate the team to allow individuals to maximize their efforts on a daily basis. 

You must ensure that they are properly trained, equipped and inspired.  You must ensure that the chemistry of the group is always in balance.  You must monitor progress.  You must anticipate obstacles and respond accordingly.

In all of these responsibilities you are serving your team members.  If effect, you are working for them and on their behalf to allow them the greatest likelihood of success.  If the team fails it is seldom the work of the members that will be found deficient.  Most likely the blame falls (quite rightly) to the leader.  He/she has failed in their primary duty, i.e., to make success possible.

I appreciate that at first blush it seems to be counter-intuitive.  But trust me on this!  The better job you do in enabling your staff to be successful the greater the likelihood that your goals will be accomplished as well. 

Service has it rewards.  And they are much more satisfying than being served.  I am not advocating spoon feeding your team members or doing their jobs for them.  Rather it is the act of supporting, uplifting, encouraging, enabling and inspiring the team, individually and collectively, in which you gain your rewards. 

Take another look at who you work for.  Maybe it’s time to focus on something other than the name on the cheque…