Reflection

#Beingaleader means oftentimes you see your reflection in your team. They often exhibit your characteristics and tendencies. Your energy. Your drive. Your emotions. Even your priorities.

Your team could be your children as well as your team members in a work environment. They usually take on the tenor of the leadership. Exceptions? Yes. But on average, if you are a screaming maniac your children or team member will be so also. If you are content, so will they. If you exhibit self-control in your interactions, so will they. It might not be their normal tendencies to do so but they will begin to understand what is acceptable in your environment and either change their demeanor to fit the group or eventually find themselves on the outside.

This isn’t always completely good. We want individuality. Uniqueness. But the overall ‘feel’ of a family or team will take on the characteristics of the leader. In a family, for example, it’s not that every child is or should be like their parents. But you can often tell which parents go with which children when you place them in a group setting.

True also of teams. Cooperative team members tend to come from leaders who are always seeking the best in folks. Looking to make their process better. Or any number of things that require groups or individuals to work together. So, too, in an environment where the leader is a yeller or acts in a cut-throat manner. The members of the team will find what is acceptable and work within those confines.

Yes there are outliers. Exceptions. But for the most part, I have found this to be true and in many different contexts. Your team or family will often reflect who you are. #Beingaleader means you should be careful what reflection is seen.