Leading with a Limp

My mental picture of a leader has always been of a person pointing his finger at someone and saying, “ I am in charge here and what I say goes” but over the past few years my view of what leader is has changed.   As I have watched and learned from other leaders I have developed an entirely different view of what it means to be a leader. 

Leading is not about putting yourself on a pedestal above those you are leading it means limping alongside others always asking for assistance in order to gain knowledge and then impart wisdom based on what you have learned.  When you walk with a limp you have to walk slower and take more time in getting where you want to go.  Sometimes walking with a limp requires some assistance such as a cane or a walker. 

Leading with a limp in the business community is done in much the same way.   Sure there is no cane or walker but there is the idea that in order to succeed at what you’re doing requires some sort of assistance to help you move along.  Leading with a limp means knowing your limitations so you never have to be afraid to lean on someone else for assistance.

Stubborn people often find themselves trying to limp along on their own.  They see no need to ask for any assistance of any kind.  In the end this kind of leader cause productions to slow down or even come to halt. 

Stubborn self-centered leaders are also the root cause of a lot of discontent in the workplace.  I am sure if you thought long and hard you could come examples of both of these types of leaders you have worked for in the past or currently work for.

It has always been is mystery to me why anyone would want to lead a group of people and not want to tap into the talent of that group of people.  When you lead with a limp everyone feels like they are part of the process because they help support the leader and nothing is done without their assistance.

What Kind of Leader Are You

Take a few minutes to examine you leadership style.  I have found over the years that there are basically two types of leaders, those who are stubborn and adsorbed in their own leadership abilities and those who have the knowledge to lead with a limp and do it effectively. 

I know you are going to argue that there are many more leadership styles than these two but when you really think about they all can fit into these two categories.  If you still feel that I am wrong well I don’t want to sound ignorant but for the sake of trying to define what it means to lead with a limp I am going to use these two styles. 

Most leaders I have known lead by fear.  They bully their employees into doing what they want them to do. This type of leadership is self absorbed and full of fear.  The fear is that if they let up then the people they are assigned to lead will walk all over them. 

The next type of leader is still a stubborn leader in the sense that they do not ask for help but try to do it their own way.  The type of leader I am talking about is the passive leader.  These types of leaders do not instill fear, but offer friendship.  In the end this type of leadership often leads to ineffectiveness.

The last type of leadership combines both of these elements.  Leading with a limp seeks to have the assistance of employees.  This assistance builds respect and awareness.  So not only is the leader listened too but often is respected among their peers. 

Leading with a limp is leading despite your flaws.  No one is perfect.  No one is above making mistakes.  When you can admit to yourself and your employees that you have flaws it is not going to make you any less a leader, but it will truly make you more of a respected leader.

Maybe you disagree wholeheartedly with the leading with a limp philosophy. That is ok.  All I ask is for you to take a look at your own leadership style and if you find yourself not including the people under your leadership in on the decision making process well maybe it is time to take up your cane or walking stick and start leading with a limp.