Leadership And Contribution Style? Why can't both be acceptable?
Interview after interview, job performance meeting after job performance meeting....job posting after job posting....the BIG question...'What is your Leadership Style?'
What if I don't want to lead?
What if I am happy contributing and enhancing my contribution style?
What is a contribution style? How would you describe your contribution style?
I rarely.....use sports analogies but I will for this because sports announcers and coaches get it right. Often, you will hear them praise players, especially in hockey, about a player's individual effort or contribution during a play or a game. And athletes are okay with their individual effort contributing to the success of the team....they don't need to be, or want to be a Captain or Assistant Captain.
So how is it in the work world we are obsessed with everyone having to be a LEADER?
What if we developed people to be great contributors who recognize and develop their contribution style?
- Being consistent in how they show-up and support the team
- Supporting new team members
- Providing respectful feedback
- Displaying a solid commitment to life-long learning
- Striving to understand the values of the people they work with to improve relationships and results
Organizations want to label you as a leader and have you enhance your leadership skills because it is a way for them to squeeze more work, ideas, thoughts, and content from you for the same money. Your current skill sets, life-long learning journey, and your vision for your fulfillment at work and in life should be enough.
What would you rather be, a leader or a solid and consistent contributor? I'd love to hear your thoughts.