Why Leaders Need to Step into Centre Position
In 2010, I attended a Learning and Development Conference in Orlando, Florida called Learning 2010. My colleague and good friend Debbie and I had been invited to speak about our firm’s residential training facility and the courses that we designed and facilitated. It was an amazing opportunity and one of my all-time favourite trips.
On the second day of the conference, we headed out for our lunch break and enjoyed a meal with our fellow delegates, not knowing what was going on inside the auditorium but we were soon to find out. When we opened the doors to commence the afternoon session, we were shocked. During the lunch break, the entire Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra had set up in the middle of the room and started playing. The beautiful sound resonating around the whole auditorium.
The conductor of the orchestra was Roger Nierenberg, author of the leadership book ‘Maestro - An Inspiring Story about Leading by Listening’. Roger invited us to first hear the orchestra from out in front, where traditionally the conductor stands. He then asked us to experience what it was like to listen from the middle of the orchestra. What a whole different feeling! A richer sound, stronger….. you felt more connected like you were a part of the music.
Leadership is a lot like conducting an orchestra.
As a leader, you can spend all your time out the front of your people, waving your hands around, giving directions. A little more of this, a little less of that. Now of course, direction and instructions are needed in leadership but what is also needed is connection, understanding and knowledge of what is actually happening in the business, not just what’s written in the latest board report. How do you experience these things? How to do you get information? You need to get amongst it - get in the centre.
From the centre, you will gain a different perspective. You will be closer to the business processes, the clients and of course your people. From the centre, you can easily access every part of the business and everyone in it.
So, how do you gain centre position as a leader?
Get out of the top floor corner office and be seen.
Engage in conversations. Ask questions and listen. (usually the more senior the leader, the further they are physically away from their people and the ‘hub’ of the business) At my old firm, the managing partner and I would often sit and have a cuppa in the kitchen. It was amazing how much he heard, what he learnt from people coming in and out of the lunch room, talking away, not even noticing that the managing partner was sitting at one of the tables.
Make the time to attend events.
Turn up to other team meetings and events, for example a celebratory morning tea, induction training for new staff or a lunch time webinar. At first, people might be shocked to see you there. They might even be a little anxious or concerned. It’s important that you are open and honest about your intention for attending. It might take a little while to create a new cultural norm.
Discover the client experience.
Get up close and personal with your clients. Attend a client meeting, a site inspection, whatever you can do to connect with your clients and understand their needs, what they want from you.
As a leader busy conducting your orchestra from out the front, remember to take the time to move into the centre position and discover the richness of the music.
Midja x