Careful, your status is showing

Leaders in organisations, wherever they go, sit, leave, speak, eat ... come with status attached. It can't be hidden.

At a client workshop recently, about two hours in to the session, a senior leader tip-toed into the room, closing the door gently. They were trying not to disturb the session. But really? They couldn’t be missed.

😩

Their status comes in the door first!

At other workshops and meetings, many leaders have said, ‘ I’m not participating today, I’m just observing’.

Now even more of your status is showing.

As a modern leader in today’s work environment it’s wise to stop making yourself even more separate, different and higher.

There’s a decision to make : either be IN it with the team in the room, or get OUT of it and leave them to do the work of the workshop or meeting.

Also, quick question :
Why and what are you 'observing'?
Why not get involved?

There’s rarely a need for leaders to be 'on the fringes’ of a workshop or meeting, doing the watching, checking, observing, judging.

Participate, do the work, connect and listen to people, get your hands dirty, hear their stories, be there, getting it. Or vanish.

A special title isn’t special when it comes to working with a team in a practical session.

I’d prefer leaders either remove themselves and their status, or reduce their status and stay.


👀 Seen some status recently? How else do leaders show or throw their status around, perhaps unknowingly?

Stop throwing your status around

Careful throwing your status around.

Leaders in organisations, wherever they go, wherever they walk, sit, stand, eat ... come with status attached. It can't be hidden.

At a client workshop, the senior leader tip-toed in after about two hours, trying not to disturb the session. But really? They couldn’t be missed. Their status comes in the door first! At other sessions, leaders have said, ‘ I’m not participating today, I’m just observing’.

What's that caper!?

Now even more status is pouring out of you. Stop making yourself even more separate, different and higher. Make a decision: either be IN it with the team in the room, or get OUT of it and leave them to do the work of the workshop.

Why and what are you 'observing'? Why not get involved? I don’t see any need for leaders to be 'on the fringes’ of a workshop, doing this watching, checking, observing, judging. Participate, do the work, connect and listen to people, get your hands dirty, hear their stories. Your special title isn’t special when it comes to working with the team in a practical session.

Remove yourself and your status completely. Or reduce your status and sit at the table. How else do leaders throw their status around, perhaps unknowingly?