What if the Team Have More Experience

The Leadership Challenge Middle East

“Whaaat ?
No, that cannot be.”
“I have more experience that’s why I’m in charge.”
No, that may have been the case twenty years ago, when managers became managers because they could handle every job function. Often they were promoted because of the level of functional experience.
Leaders do not have to know ‘every competency’ in order to successfully lead.
Issues of the levels of competency may arise where team members seem to push-back - “He/she is not going to tell me what to do - I’ve been doing this for 10 years.”
Issues may also arise where the leader takes on ‘imposter syndrome’ - “How can I lead them - they’ve got years of experience on me. They’re going to find out and then I’m done !”
Leadership does not require superior or even extensive technical skills.
Leadership simply harnesses the capabilities of those in the team - and gets the best performance out of all the team members.
Leaders don’t have to have the highest academic qualifications to live their Values consistently.
Leadership requires building excitement about a shared vision for the future, not 25 years experience at the ‘coal-face’.
Asking “Is there a better way?” is a question the leader can ask to have the ‘experienced’ operator challenge their own processes and experience.
Empowering and enabling others to build self-determination doesn’t require years of experience. It requires a leader who genuinely believes in each team member’s ability to perform beyond what they believed they were capable of.
Encouraging the heart has 98% of people performing at their best. When it’s meaningful and genuine the person hearing this, doesn’t question the level of experience of the person saying it.
Leadership is not about years of experience ‘in the job’ : it’s about what’s in the heart of the person who chooses leadership and the connection the leader makes with everyone.