Leadership: People Who Make the Tough Decisions

Being a leader is a challenging task, as decisions rarely come in black and white. Most people tend to compromise and avoid difficult choices, leading to mediocrity. It's important to listen to different opinions but ultimately trust your instincts and make a decision. Being a leader means embracing the possibility of being wrong and not being afraid of the consequences. Leadership is about earning respect rather than just being liked.

• The “peanut butter manifesto” illustrates how spreading resources thinly across various initiatives often leads to mediocrity.
• Leaders must be willing to make unpopular decisions that may initially be met with resistance.
• Examples: Steve Jobs opening Apple stores, Google acquiring YouTube, Evan Spiegel not selling Snapchat, and Netflix splitting its business.

Followership: People Who Execute the Vision

While leadership sets the direction, it's the team that delivers the results. Leaders need to recruit top talent and create an environment for them to thrive, but it's the team's efforts that drive success.

• Most teams require people who are excellent in their job functions, such as marketing, sales, programming, and PR.
• Even within teams, there are leaders and followers, but everyone needs to be aligned towards the same goals.
• Companies with successful systems like OKRs (objectives and key results) or V2MOM (vision, values, methods, obstacles, measures) can achieve alignment and better results.

Dissent: People Who Challenge the Status Quo

Dissent can be valuable, as it encourages critical thinking and pushes the boundaries of ideas. However, dissenters need to be more than just critics. They should have their own ideas, be willing to roll up their sleeves and contribute, and ultimately be willing to own the consequences of their decisions.

• Dissenters who only criticize and never offer solutions or take ownership are unproductive.
• It's essential to identify these backbenchers and encourage them to either become more engaged or move on.
• People who are no longer part of the solution need to get out of the way and allow the team to move forward.

The Importance of Aligning People and Decisions

A strong company needs both strong leadership and a dedicated team. Leaders need to make tough decisions, and the rest of the organization must follow the plan. People who can't contribute effectively to the overall goals of the company need to step aside. It's important to be open to dissent, but it's also crucial to ensure that everyone is working towards the same objectives. This alignment can lead to greater success and a more cohesive organization.

Getting Out of the Way: The Decision to Leave

When individuals find themselves in an organization where they don't feel aligned with the direction or the team's values, it's best to leave. This decision allows the remaining team to function more effectively and provides opportunities for those who are not contributing to find new roles that align with their skills and beliefs.

• If you find yourself questioning your role in a company and realizing that you are not contributing to the overall success, it's time to consider moving on.
• It's important to have the courage to step aside and allow the team to progress without your potential negativity or resistance.

Conclusion: Leading, Following, and Getting Out of the Way

The dynamics of leadership and followership within organizations are essential for success. Leadership is about making difficult decisions and inspiring others to follow. Followership is about executing the plan and achieving the results. And sometimes, for the sake of the team and the company, people must be willing to get out of the way. Ultimately, creating a cohesive environment where everyone is aligned and working together towards common goals is the key to driving progress and reaching greater heights.