Coach Presents: Creating Your Culture at Work Series, Enduring Leadership
Sometimes putting in a ton of time in front of your computer screen and working long hours can start to drag you down. Here at Desk Jockey we’ve been working at writing great advice not only on how to save your back from pain and the daily grind, but also on how to get the most out of your work experience and create a culture you can be proud of in your corner of the office. This is the final piece of a five part installment in the Creating Your Culture at Work series.
Enduring and Lasting Leadership
All organizations have leaders. Whether that is a manager, or a supervisor, there is typically a line of command that we must adhere to. However, the type of leadership is a determining factor between a great culture and average culture. Great leaders build enduring legacies long after they leave. This is difficult for most people to attain, to be able to put ego aside for the betterment of the group, and focus all your energy on what will make your organization great. As a coach, I have learned that this is very important for sports teams, but I believe it is important for all groups and all organizations. The coach, the captains and players, must realize that the team is bigger than the individual, and that the greater goal is what is best for all involved. A great manager will get the opinions of all involved, let employees voices be heard before making decisions. The best type of leaders have the ability to put their ego aside and channel their energies into the larger goal of building a great organization. It’s not that these type of leaders have no ego, it’s that they have an ability to tie that to making the group better as a whole.
Great leaders will develop a culture that prevails long after they leave the team or company. A disciplined thought process will be ingrained into each person, a culture of doing what has to be done, when it has to be done, the best way it can be done, and doing it that way all the time, is something that can remain after you have moved on. This can be the legacy you leave your position.
There are many avenues to building a great culture in your company or your team. Use your energy and your leadership ability to work with your teammates to develop an enduring leadership that will set up your organization for years to come.
~Sean Hogan has coached hockey at the international and collegiate levels for over ten years. He has spoken at numerous events about culture building, goal setting and healthy lifestyles. He holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Recreation and Sports Science with an emphasis on Coaching Education from OHIO University.