“It seems to me that evolution adds greatly to the wonder of life because it takes it out of the realm of the arbitrary, the exceptional, and links it to the sequence of natural causation.”
John Burroughs, An American Naturalist
Expanding human potential is the most fulfilling thing one can cause and enjoy. To do so, leaders must choose to guide people in using their critical thinking and personal power without directing their every thought and behavior. The ability to raise self-awareness and influence self-management is the difference between a boss and a leader, an authoritarian and an influencer, a dictatorial parent and a wise guide who successfully transfers responsibility.
Our world is growing in complexity and changing so fast, it is not possible to adapt and respond well by directing and managing others to the degree that has and still is often done. Does it take more work to help people become socially and emotionally intelligent and responsible for their expanded potential? Absolutely! Especially in the beginning. Is it worth it? Yes! When this becomes the priority over directing and diminishing the internal motivation and agency of people, then systems are adopted to expand potential, not inadvertently diminish it. Why is it still more common for those in positions of authority to direct rather than develop people? Here are a few reasons:
We don’t like the idea of needing to upgrade our ways of thinking and behaving
Not only do those leading others struggle with this, so too do those who have become comfortable in being directed rather than developed and responsible. It is daunting to question, challenge, and drop long-standing beliefs and practices that began in childhood in homes and schools and then in workplaces and every other social setting. No one likes to feel their current way of doing things needs to be overhauled because they are part of the existing problems of inadequate innovation, agility, collaboration, and all else needed to meet today’s complexity, challenges and trends.
We have been conditioned to fear freedom
Because most of us have had too much direction for too long and have been shamed for exercising our initiative, presenting our ideas, and making mistakes, we became fearful of freedom, both giving it and having it. We might not realize this is within us individually and collectively, but it is and it impedes the expansion of potential in people in every setting at every age and in every role. Can this be changed? Yes! Promoting and supporting freedom at first seems suspect, and does not seem expedient either. Freedom IS suspect if it is not coupled with responsibility and social interest (noticing and caring about consequences we cause others). Freedom IS not expedient in the beginning but it is in the long-run when the systems used help people embrace their power and use it for good.
There is a show on Netflix right now called Unlocked about a maximum-security prison whose normal practices were to direct every single behavior of the inmates by confining them to their cells 23 of 24 hours each day and deputies policing them closely when out. In the show, the Sheriff recognizes that by doing this, the inmates keep re-offending and being reincarcerated. He introduces an experimental structure where the inmates are given radical freedom from their cells and the deputies, but only if they take responsibility for managing their behavior and relationships and follow the rules willingly. I couldn’t help thinking they would benefit from LifeWork Systems because at first, the older inmates try to over-direct the younger ones, who then rebel and resist or resentfully comply. In the beginning, they have not yet learned to be free AND responsible. This is why their pattern had been repeated reincarceration.
We need to see and interrupt the sequence of causation for our current, often mediocre results.
In the work of LifeWork Systems, people learn concepts, terms, tools and practices to develop every person, at every age, in every setting, into exceptional leaders. We promote the positive use of personal power and agency for self, and also in service to others in expansive, game-changing ways. We help people learn to manage themselves, their relationships, their motivation, their productivity, their engagement and get consistent support for their continuous improvement and progress, freeing up leaders to focus on other objectives for growth and expansion. Isn’t this what the world needs? Your business needs? Consider learning alternatives to directing people and rather instead developing them into exceptional contributors in all aspects of their lives. We are here to help when you’re ready.
This article is published in the column The Extraordinary Workplace in St. Louis Small Business Monthly, September, 2024
