It’s interesting the answers you get to this question. Some will say that the leader’s greatest asset is the authority bestowed by the job title, the corner office, the position power. Others will respond that it’s the leader’s ability to change things for the better; to improve systems. Still others will cite tangible assets such as cars, houses, investment portfolios, and the like. Great Leaders know better. They will tell you that all of these things are frills; not great assets.
Great Leaders know that their greatest assets are the people that they have been given the privilege of leading. Great Leaders will be the first to tell you that, without dedicated and committed team members who willingly choose to follow, they can accomplish little.
Great Leaders will also tell you that their greatest investment is the time they spend with their team members; time invested in learning about each team member’s wants and needs; time learning about each team member’s values and priorities. Great Leaders do not use this information to manipulate people. Rather, they use this information to help each individual grow, to showcase each individual’s talents so that they are given the opportunity to excel and advance.
Have you had the opportunity to work with someone who saw you as a great asset? Share your story by clicking “comment”.
Tom Hoisington is a speaker, trainer, and author whose goal is to provide leaders and potential leaders with tools that empower them to build teams that are creative and cost effective along with a clearer understanding of how personality types interact within those teams. He can be contacted at tom.hoisington@eagleoneresources.com