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follow Terry onI’ve been in West Yellowstone, Montana for two days of meetings with our core managers, a group of 55 people. I am the chief organizer and coordinator of this meeting, so needless to say I haven’t had a lot of time to blog.
Nevertheless, as I sit here on a late Monday evening contemplating this busy day I did have a another thought I needed to share about leadership – sometimes you have to be a Den Mother.
Those of you that were in the Cub Scouts know what I mean – someone who kept us in line and on track with all of all things Scouting, and also making sure that we were properly fed and taken care of at our weekly meetings and on our outings.
Today I felt like a Den Mother, scurrying around making sure everyone had something to eat, making sure the room was the right temperature, double checking our dinner reservations, herding everyone back in the conference room so we can keep on schedule, and acting as the host up at the podium.
I realized as it all was happening and I was gradually working my way into a state of exhaustion that what I was doing was an essential part of leading – caring for the welfare of my teammates by ensuring their essential needs were met, making them feel “at home” amongst their peers, and yes, by occasionally applying a bit of discipline (but gently).
It’s not all strategy, process, execution and profits. Sometimes you just need to be a Den Mother. Now if I was only able to bake those cookies my Den Mother made for me all those years ago, I’d really be able to kick it up a few more notches………maybe next year.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Terry, why is it that so many folks want high quality “den mothering” skills for “free” or cheap at best because these are the skills that aren’t really valued monitarily in the workplace?
Your analogy of leadership to being a Den Mother is dead on. And so is Robyn’s comment that it’s an undervalued skill — and one that few corporate leaders (at least in my experience) have.
This is magnificent. I think many leaders fail to nurture their followers because of the paradigm and perception that thinks that leaders must be stoic, choleric men. There are many facets to leadership. It goes beyond influence. It is more than roles, responsibilities, duties and tasks. It’s not about having followers. It’s about growing followers, developing people, motivating, stimulating growth, etc – that’s all nurturing!
Dan Goldman could have easily titled his book Den Mothering instead of Emotional Intelligence
Thanks Robyn, Connie, Herman and David for stopping by.
Robyn, what a great question. Sometimes these “basic” skills should be the most valued.
Connie, I too wonder why more leaders don’t value this important facet of leadership.
Herman, thanks for your kind words. You are so right – “nurture” and “leader” are not mutually exclusive.
David, I need to read that book, don’t I! Thanks for the tip.
All the best to you all!