A student’s leadership skills are developed through campus organizations, serving in the community, and other opportunities where they can stretch those muscles. But is liarship creeping into students’ officer and leadership roles?
You are familiar with liarship: it thinking and believing that you are acting as a leader, when you are not. This can show itself in how you run meetings, interact with members and your fellow officers, or in the decisions that you make. I have three examples in this week’s message to illustrate this concept:
Liarship: I am in charge and everyone has to do what I say. I am the only one who knows all the answers.
Leadership: I have a vision to share with you for our organization and I would like your feedback, support, and participation to make it happen.The liar-leader takes an all or nothing approach. They were elected to be in charge and everyone should follow in lockstep, whether they agree with the direction the liar-leader is taking them. A true-leader has a vision for what they want and where they see the organization going. They articulate that vision, refine it with feedback from their fellow members and officers, and then get the support of the group because the group helps make it happen!
Liarship: Drama and conflict are to be expected, everyone else is the problem.
Leadership: When a problem or conflict comes up, we deal with it right away, with the people involved.I think it is reasonable to expect that there can be conflict and/or drama in clubs and organizations, but affixing blame to others is premature and true liar-ship. The problem is the problem and those involved are the ones who can solve it. A true leader addresses the situation directly, bringing in to play the members involved and discusses with all of them the details and roots of the conflict. Then they work through the conflict, taking it straight to those who may have caused it or exacerbated it. It is not considered done until a resolution is achieved that satisfies everyone. Creative leaders will find ways to work through conflict and drama!
Liarship: I am in this for what I can get out of it and how it can help me on campus.
Leadership: We put the group above our own desires and agendas in order to meet the goals we set together.Liar-leaders always have an angle on how the organization can benefit them. It is an entry on the resume. It leads to a higher position on campus or within the state or national leadership. Their motives are not pure, but selfish. They ask, “What have you done for me lately?”True leaders put others above themselves. They are concerned with the good of the group and the objectives and goals that they have set together. Sure, their resume will benefit from this leadership role, but what they will learn and gain from it and how they have engaged others is paramount to being a successful leader. They understand that if you’re asking “what’s in it for me?” then you are asking the wrong question. Put your members and your organization first and then you will be a true leader.
Would you like to have this kind of content provided to your students? I would love to come to your campus and do just that. Click on my programs page and check out all of the ways I can bring your students from liarship to leadership.
Then email me at DaveKelly@GonzoSpeaks.com or call my office at 770-552-6592 to discuss a date for me to come to your school. Booking me will not break the bank – check out my Affordable Pricing Model for a quote! I look forward to serving your students!
I look forward to serving your students!