by bangor » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:44 pm
In Amtgard, we solve the problem by replacing leaders every 6 months by doctrine. In reality, it's the same people pulling the weight the whole time.
This is a problem that spans across every organization.
How do you get past it?
Develop new leaders. This is something I learned readily in the Army. Your ultimate goal as a leader is to make yourself absolutely useless. It seems counter-intuitive, but the more you aren't needed, the better you are doing as a leader.
The first step to this process is identifying people who others listen to, and then taking them under your wing. Don't dump everything on them at once, as it's simply overwhelming in every instance. Instead, give them a slice of the pie, and different slices to others you've seen exhibit leadership qualities. Be careful here, sometimes the introvert actually has the capacity for leadership, while the braggart has none, and vice versa. Chosing is the most difficult part. Once you dole out these duties, these duties should really be THEIRS, you are simply there to assist them with wisdom, but not direct the result. You'll find there are many ways for things to work well, and what you know to be best is just one of many ways that will work.
You continue increasing what you'd like to see from these people until you basically can rest on your laurels,and then let them decide amongst themselves who should lead. By giving them this decision, they all share in power, leaving none feeling left out. If it works out right, the new 'leader' gives responsibility to several others, and the process repeats itself.
There's also a fine art into checking on the progress of others, but that's a separate topic altogether. Do it, because it makes things flow, but don't do it too much or you seem annoying or demanding.
Axe in the back!!