There’s an easy trap to get stuck in with leadership. That trap?
Becoming a fixer.
A fixer is someone who is constantly fixing the problems around them. Some people may call them firefighters.
There’s an issue. You go and fix it. Another issue pops up. You fix that as well.
Over and over again, the cycle repeats.
But leaders can’t do that. Leaders have to become more than a fixer. Here’s what leaders do to step away from the fixer position.
You’re Not A Fixer
Your journey into and through leadership is typically composed of three steps or processes. It’s one that gets confusing because you feel more disconnected the further along you go. What are those steps to leadership?
Fixing problems:
The path to leadership often begins with being a problem fixer. You see a problem, you fix the problem, and you repeat the process. You’re making a difference because you can see the problem, know how to solve the problem, and resolve the problem.
It feels good. Really good, especially when you get the recognition for the work you do.
However, leaders have to evolve past the fixer stage of leadership. You have to move to the next step.
Leading Others:
The next step of leadership is to begin leading, or influencing, others. You know how to find problems and fix them. But you’re only one person. You can’t do it all.
That’s why you step into the next stage: leader.
Leaders are the people who lead and guide others in the problem-solving process. They know they can’t do it by themselves, so they look for others who can take the reins and fix the problem.
It’s not passing the buck. It’s creating people who can get the job done better than you can.
Why? Because there are bigger issues out there.
What are those issues? Glad you asked.
Building up the next generation of leaders:
The true goal of any leader is to be a person who builds up the next generation of leaders.
Building up new leaders may be the most important thing you do. It’s a way to leave a legacy.
When you build up the next generation of leaders, you grow the organization’s think tank. The people who can see, solve, and resolve problems by helping those around them.
It may seem counterintuitive. It’s not, though.
People will cycle in and out of your organization. Good talent will come and go. So will bad talent.
If there’s no one there to guide them, build them up, and send them on their way, what’s the point? Leaders aren’t there to solve the daily problems that arise. Leaders are there to solve the people issue.
You’re there to mold, guide, and build up your team members. Don’t be afraid to dive into this aspect of leadership. The more you help your people, the more you grow them.
Build up the next generation of leaders by transitioning through the steps of leadership. You’re going to feel uncomfortable at first. You must give up what you once did to do what you must do in the future.
