Unleashing the Leaders from Within: What’s Needed to Lead Up?

To lead up, you must:

• Establish trust by following through on your commitments; be impeccable with your word; do what you say you’ll do.
• Connect with others authentically and honestly.
• Get out of the spotlight; share the credit with others.
•  Demonstrate that you can think and act for the boss by taking initiative and following through.
•  Use common sense; think before you act; listen to others.
•  Do what’s practical to help the organization achieve its goals.

You will also need to think and act strategically:

•        Challenge the status quo and conventionality.
•        Reframe opportunities.
•     Get out of your box and out of your cubicle.
•         Turn information into knowledge.
•         Deal with ambiguity and uncertainty.

Assertive Diplomacy

Taking initiative requires assertiveness, confidence and decisiveness. But too much assertiveness (i.e., aggressiveness) drives people away, discourages collaboration and causes people to resist your influence.

John Baldoni, author of Lead Your Boss urges managers to practice “reflective assertiveness,” a quiet confidence and power. It emerges from experiences, including one’s trials and triumphs. You must:

1.         Listen first, showing that you value others’ ideas.
2.         Keep it low. People know where power lies. You don’t need to advertise it.
3.         Act decisively.  

Challenge Ideas, Not People

Those who resist your ideas will undoubtedly outnumber your supporters at first, but persistence pays off. Begin by challenging “the way we’ve always done it.”  This allows you to constantly refine best practices and take risks. 

At the same time, you may find it uncomfortable to challenge those in authority. It’s a natural feeling. The trick is to challenge assumptions, not the individuals in positions of power. Focus on ideas, not personalities.

Whatever success you are trying to achieve, attitude will be at the focal point of it.  Your ability to foster the positive attitude in relationships allows those around you to grow while creating an enriched environment in your organization.  Attitudes are presumed to influence behavior.