What’s the magic? It’s showing up
Over the years, I’ve seen people get a new, much-needed job, only to lose it a month or two later. On loop.
For some reason, their new employer (who is clearly out to get them) isn’t amenable to them repeatedly calling in sick, showing up late, or spending more time chatting than delivering on their commitment to do what they’re being paid to do.
I fight the urge to encourage them (loudly), “Showing up is 90% of the strategy for success!” Alas.
As we progress through our careers, where we too often fall short is showing up. For our team. We may be there physically, regularly and on time, but are we truly “there”?
Several years ago, as I was completing my thesis for a master’s degree in leadership and organizational development, I had the opportunity to dive deeply into what it takes to be a successful business and community leader. (“Success” was measured by the accomplishment of a planned goal.)
Presence, openness and considering the collective good ranked right up there with knowledge and strategic thinking. In fact, the most successful leaders studied demonstrated focus on others within the group, a commitment to building relationships, and demonstrating respect, compassion, and a dedication to the greater good. In contrast, unsuccessful leaders focused on their own priorities and were egodriven, self-interested and self-focused.
I have been witness to both successful and unsuccessful leadership, the latter heartwrenching when the stakes are so high: economic prosperity, business success, responsible governance, and meeting critical needs such as housing, food security, education, healthcare, and management of environmental resources.
A “team” can be our immediate colleagues, our larger organization, and even those outside our organization with whom we must work to accomplish goals. All too often, instead of “showing up” with each other, we find ourselves at odds and in conflict. We are under the misconstrued assumption that we have to “duke it out.” The alltoo-common result? Delays, disruption, lack of forward movement.
Being accessible for our teams — both narrowly and broadly defined — means intentionally inviting different perspectives and contributions, seeking shared priorities, fostering the best each of us has to offer. Tapping into our team’s magic — and our own — means we’ve gotta show up.