Last night, my son who is in a leadership role in BSA wanted to discuss feedback he had received on the need to have control over others. It seems that two of the other scouts were standing up and taking charge and it appeared to others they were leading the meeting.
Our conversation may be useful to you. My questions included: Did you feel they were taking the meeting over? Was the meeting going in a different direction then you had set forth? Did you think you had lost control? He had a variety of answers. We continued the conversation.
My message and coaching included: Really good leaders understand how to engage people to help them get to a shared goal by communicating the vision, the plan and outcome. They allow people to participate and be active in the process; good leaders do not control others, they cast the vision and give direction. As long as your team is working toward where you need to go and they are not disrupting or a distraction the direction, you are moving forward.
Leadership is not something you get, it is a journey in which you learn and grow along the way. Every chance you have to lead, be it with a title or thru influence. you will grow and learn. To that, he said, I will remember that, thanks.
Why the sunflowers? They adapt and turn based on the position of the sun. Leaders adapt to situations, people and organizational needs.