SECTION V INTRO

SECTION V

THE PRINCIPLES 360-DEGREE LEADERS PRACTICE TO LEAD DOWN

“Follow me, I’ll add value to you.”

Leadership is traditionally thought of as a top-down activity. The leader leads; the followers follow. Simple. If you have been leading others for any length of time, you may be tempted to skip this section of the book, thinking, I already know how to do that. I don’t want you to miss something really important, however. Because 360-Degree Leaders are by definition nonpositional, they lead through influence, not position, power, or leverage. And they take that approach not only with those above and alongside them, but also with those who work under them. This is what makes 360-Degree Leaders unique—and so effective. They take the time and effort to earn influence with their followers just as they do with those over whom they have no authority.
360-Degree Leaders take the time and effort to earn influence with their followers just as they do with those over whom they have no authority.

At the heart of this approach with followers is the desire to add value to them. Retired Admiral James B. Stockdale said:

Leadership must be based on goodwill. Goodwill does not mean posturing and, least of all, pandering to the mob. It means obvious and wholehearted commitment to helping followers. We are tired of leaders we fear, tired of leaders we love, and tired of leaders who let us take liberties with them. What we need for leaders are men of the heart who are so helpful that they, in effect, do away with the need of their jobs. But leaders like that are never out of a job, never out of followers. Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority by giving it away.

As a 360-Degree Leader, when you lead down, you’re doing more than just getting people to do what you want. You’re finding out who they are. You’re helping them to discover and reach their potential. You’re showing the way by becoming a model they can follow. You’re helping them become a part of something bigger than they could do on their own. And you’re rewarding them for being contributors on the team. In short, you are endeavoring to add value to them in any way you can.