Front Line Leadership Changes the Way We See
The common phrase goes: “perception is reality.”
David Brooks (author of How To Know A Person) reminds us of our natural shortcomings as humans: “we perceive the world not as it is but as we are.” David Brooks is suggesting what we see is NOT necessarily the complete truth!
Stephen Covey (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) tells a well-known story that highlights this concept:
I was riding a subway on Sunday morning in New York. People were sitting quietly, reading papers, or resting with eyes closed. It was a peaceful scene. Then a man and his children entered the subway car. The man sat next to me and closed his eyes, who were yelling, throwing things, even grabbing people’s papers.
I couldn’t believe he could be so insensitive. Eventually, with what I felt was unusual patience, I turned and said, “Sir, your children are disturbing people. I wonder if you couldn’t control them a little more?”
The man lifted his gaze as if he saw the situation for the first time. “Oh, you’re right,” he said softly, “I guess I should do something about it. We just came from the hospital where their mother died about an hour ago. I don’t know what to think, and I guess they don’t know how to handle it either.”
Suddenly, I saw things differently. And because I saw differently, I felt differently. I behaved differently. My irritation vanished. I didn’t have to worry about controlling my attitude or my behavior. My heart filled with compassion. “Your wife just died? Oh, I’m so sorry. Can you tell me about it? What can I do to help?” Everything changed in an instant.
We see the world through our experiences. As Robin Sharma says, “we see what we are.” Taking a posture of front-line leadership is seeking to understand before seeking to be understood. Front line leadership starts with the question: “How can I help?”
Front line leadership is a posture of service to combat our shortcomings as humans.
This form of leadership gives us a lens to see more than one narrative. It opens our hearts, our eyes, & our minds to more possibilities.
Is it a vase or is it two faces?
As I’m growing in my leadership journey, I’m appreciating the beauty and necessity of humility. Life and business has so much more depth and vantage points with humility.
Front line leadership is a core tenet to building a team where people feel heard. Feeling heard leads to our most fundamental desire to belong.
Building a team where people feel understood and feel a deep sense of belonging. That is a worthwhile pursuit. That can only happen with front line leadership.
Onward,
Matt