Leadership: Gift or Game?

What best describes your worldview on leadership: is it a gift or a game?

Over the weekend I heard my friend, Jon Middendorf speak in Oklahoma City.  His message was a great question: “Is life a game or a gift?”  As I reflected on this question I began to connect it the life of a leader.

What happens when leadership becomes a game? 

I was struck by the following found on Games Information Depot regarding the rules for the board game LIFE. 

 

The main thing that you need to know is that the game of Life has changed a lot over the years. The fact of the matter is that as the world has changed, this board game has been kept up to date as well. This has gone a long way in making Life an enjoyable game for everybody who plays it…

As the years go by, the rules that govern Life are going to change. But instead of worrying about the future, play the version of the game that you have with the rules that are outlined for you. Each game comes with a rule booklet that will help you to get started if you are struggling.

Did you notice the implications for today’s leader in those paragraphs? 

Consider. . .

• Life has changed a lot over the years
• “Old school” is out core skills (“people skills”) are in (“…the world has changed”)
• Your growth as a leader is critical to your success (keeping up to date)
• When you are growing it makes work more enjoyable for everyone around you
• Life is changing so fast worrying about the future will take you out of enjoying today
• When you struggling tap into your support system (“…help you to get started…”)

According to Merriam-Webster the word game comes from the Old High German for amusement.  By definition then a game is any activity undertaken or regarded as a contest involving rivalry, strategy, or struggle.

“Any activity” could be your business.  It could be your leadership approach.    

How would thinking about leadership, as a “game”, impact your leadership?

If being a leader is viewed as a game your company, your business, your department will be impacted.  So, on a scale of 1 to 6 how would you rank your experience as a leader?

(1= Never; 6=Most of the time)

• Work is a contest; the mentality has become “us vs. them” within or with your team
• You wear your game face; who you really are is being lost in the intensity
• The game plan is pushing back against your values, ethics, truth, character, relationships
• The players (people) are pawns you use in your effort to win
• Mind games are employed to manipulate, intimidate or confuse others
• The focus of the game is on who loses; so self preservation takes over
• The name of the game has subtly shifted from purpose, passion, and mission
• The scoreboard has people “kissing up” to you or you kissing up
• Work is a shell game; what has little value is replacing what you once valued highly

What do you see or hear in your answers?  What concerns you the most…?

 

Now, what happens when you accept your leadership as a gift? 

According to Merriam-Webster the word gift comes from the Old English meaning to give.  A gift is something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation.  

What does it take to embrace leadership as a gift to be received and nurtured?  

Consider these three responses.  Each one will help keep you be a leader people want to follow. 

1. Humility – unchecked pride suggests a successful leader is “self-made”.  Really?  Of course you have personal responsibility and commitments to develop yourself but humility allows you to acknowledge the investment of others in your life, as well.  
2. Appreciation – the very nature of “leadership as a game” can lead to devaluing others.  Showing appreciation for the support and contribution of others with your words and actions is powerful and important.  Remember your ability to lead is a cultivated gift. Appreciation is about assigning true value to your greatest asset…people in your world.
3.  Gratitude – beyond appreciation this is expressing thanks for what others do to contribute to the success of your company, organization, department, the project…your success. 

So what happens when you see leadership as a gift and not a game? 

• You see the people and lead accordingly
• Your followership increases
• Your influence is extended
• Performance improves

What best describes your worldview on leadership: is it a gift or a game?

 

For additional reflection:

1. Who has had or is having a significant impact on your leadership development?  Do they know it? 
2. How do you show appreciation to others for their contribution to your success?
3. The pace of life seeks to hinder the expression of gratitude.  How will you “say thanks” today to people making things happen day in day out?