ABCs for Managers Who Lead: G is for Guide

What or who do you think of as a guide? It could be a book or set of standard operating procedures. Maybe it’s someone who leads tourists on safari or a father who takes his child by the hand to cross a street.

The role of guides is to show you the way. A guide walks with you and ensures that you are on the correct path and that you arrive at your destination. A guide keeps you away from danger and points out the important sites of interest and tells you about them. Guides do not dictate your actions or rule by force. They engage you in the process of attaining your goals.

Managers who Lead are guides. They point the way toward success, appreciate the strengths of their team members, provide both positive and constructive feedback and support, and advise the team members about how to overcome challenges and barriers.

Guiding well

• Be curious. Ask questions and listen carefully to the responses. What is it that the other person is trying to do? What are the challenges he is facing? What does she want at this time?
• Ask if you can help. Ask the person if he wants some help or guidance. This avoids giving “unsolicited advice” or an intrusion. Providing such advice can be perceived to be an intrusion and fuel resentment.
• Take a positive attitude. Punishing someone for not knowing how to overcome a challenge creates resentment whereas being positive and encouraging will lead to personal and professional growth for the other person.
• Treat each challenge raised by a staff member as a professional development opportunity – possibly for both of you.
• Be supportive. Offer an ear to listen to the challenge and speak words of encouragement.

As a good leader and a good guide, stretch out your hand to a staff member or colleague and help her to navigate the unknown or the rough seas to bring her through the experience. Help him stay out of danger through the challenges and gently assure him that he is safe.