18 Things Leaders Need To Know About Leading Leaders

Brian Dodd On Leadership

It is a great challenge to lead people and take them on a journey to a brighter tomorrow. It is a completely different thing to lead leaders. A much higher level of skill and insight are needed.

On today’s ESPN NFL Countdown, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and Denver Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway were profiled. Both lead men who are arguably the best ever at their positions. Harbaugh coaches middle linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed. Elway leads quarterback Peyton Manning.

I found their comments quite insightful on what is required to effectively lead leaders.

John Harbaugh

Leading Leaders Is A Privilege - “How many times do you get a chance to be part of something like that?” – Harbaugh on coaching Lewis’s final home game in Baltimore.

Leaders Want To Move People To Action – The Ravens front office received multiple letters of spontaneous acts of celebration throughout Baltimore while watching Lewis.

Leaders Want To Do Something Memorable - The letters also told dozens of stories of how the game provided memorable experiences for fathers and sons. The shared experience of watching this particular game together is something that will forever bond them.

Leaders Thrive With Open Communication – The Ravens have created an environment where leaders are given total freedom to express their opinions.

Leaders Hate Mediocrity – After a sub-par practice, the team leaders called another practice to get things right.

Leaders Value Trust – Trust matters. Trust says you can count on me moving forward. After that sub-par practice, the players knew the coaches were going to lose trust in them while watching the practice tape. They proactively earned it back.

Leaders “Confront Issues and Not The Person.” - Leaders do not confuse silence with compliance. They push back. They challenge boundaries and preconceived notions. They address issues.

Leaders Will Make Hard Decisions - With the offense sputtering during mid-season, Harbaugh made the difficult and unusual decision to switch offensive coordinators during mid-season.

Leaders Are Attracted To Other Great Leaders - Harbaugh then hired former Indianapolis head coach Jim Caldwell as his offensive coordinator.

John Elway

Great Leaders Are Attracted To Big Vision - Upon arriving in Denver two years ago, Elway’s vision was clear, “I want to win a Super Bowl”

Great Leaders Want To Enjoy Their Work - Elway wanted to “get guys to be able to enjoy coming to work again.”

Great Leaders Embrace A Process - It was not until the season’s 6th game that the team began to gel. But as Elway said, “(It was) fun for me to see them become a team.”

Great Leaders Are Deeply Passionate About The Organization - On recruiting Manning to the Broncos, Elway “sold the Denver Broncos. I’ve spent 16 years here. I moved here in 1984. I’m going to show what we had here. I’m proud of that.”

Great Leaders Have Feelings - Great leaders are still human beings. Manning felt a level of disappointment and disillusionment after his time with the Colts had concluded. Elway knew he needed time to process those feelings.

Great Leaders Always Have Something To Prove - Manning’s disillusionment turned into a challenge. Elway rejoiced when saying, “A great player with a chip on his shoulder is always dangerous.”

Great Leaders Want Significance - Great leaders do not desire titles or position. They desire influence and significance. At the press conference announcing Manning’s signing, Elway boldly stated, “My goal is to make Peyton Manning the best quarterback that has ever played the game.”

Great Leaders Produce - John Maxwell teaches that leaders never confuse activity with accomplishment. Elway acknowledges that, “I will have been successful and Peyton will have been successful if we can win a couple of championships.”
Great Leaders Want Opportunities For Greatness - Elway’s hopes for Manning is “to give him a chance to win a world championship.”

After reading this list of 18 items, what is one thing you can do TODAY to more effectively lead leaders?

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Anthony