It is interesting having a little bit more time on my hands to actually think about things. In this new chapter of life I have been doing more writing, reading, photography, and other creative endeavors. It really has been a nice change of pace and it also has opened up my mind to thinking about some things that I just simply did not have time to really dig into before.
One of these things was the old leadership phrase of “connect and then correct.” It’s a phrase that gets thrown around a lot and generally I feel like most leaders take it as a formula for a corrective conversation. Actually, I know this it the case as I have observed it happen this way many times through the years at many different organizations. The phrase popped up in a conversation earlier today and it got me thinking more about it.
In order for “connect and then correct” to work effectively there has to be a long term investment in the connection between the leader and those they are leading. This is something that cannot happen during a quick conversation. It is building up a relationship and trust in the leader so that when something does need to be corrected, the person who is following can recognize that the correction is done to not just benefit the organization, but also them. When there is a connection that is built between leaders and their followers, the corrections can be a positive thing.
I think another important thing to recognize in this whole process is that the responsibility of the building that connection falls on both leader and follower. However, the buck can only stop in one place and that is with the leader. Too often leaders rest on the mantle of the position instead of leaning into the responsibility of the role as a leader. A good leader will invest in their team, build them up, and then help them succeed. Sometimes that means investing and building up people to roles on other teams if they aren’t necessarily a good fit. However, at the end of the day as long as people know their leaders genuinely care about people and are connecting with them, things work a whole lot better.
“Connect and then Correct” is not a quick fix leadership tactic. It’s a long term formula for leadership success that requires investment and heart. It is a kind way to lead. Leading with kindness requires courage and that is often a hard thing for many people who aspire to be leaders. It is the most effective though. As we move forward in our different leadership paths I hope we can truly remember to build true connections and make healthy corrections. This will not only build up the people and the organization, but also new leaders who will do the same!
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