The last of the Dr. William Cohen’s Eight Universal Laws of Leadership is to Get Out In Front. This law is probably the simplest and yet, the most difficult to follow. Getting Out In Front is the simplest law because as a leader you are already expected to be the first one to greet your employees and be the last one to say goodbye at the end of the day. In between the leader is fully present not just in the moment, but her finger is on the pulse of what is happening. Having your finger on the pulse of what is happening does not mean being a micro-manager, it means being aware of what your people are doing and standing ready to assist, teach, guide or just let them do the job they were hired to do. Checking the pulse every once in a while will tell you whether something is seriously wrong or not.
Getting Out In Front is also the most difficult leadership law to follow, as there will always be a stigma associated with putting yourself out front. The point man, the first person to arrive, the last person to leave, the one that everyone sees all the time makes you the responsible one. If you are the first person that management, peers, and subordinates see everyday then you are the person they will associate with being the one that knows what’s going on and ultimately, the responsible party (good or bad).
While there is nothing wrong with being the responsible one or the “go-to” person there will be instances when being that person is not a good thing. This may be where the stigma, of being out front is a bad thing, took root and from it the dark side of getting out front was born. Making matters worse there are plenty of adages that add fuel to that fire such as “the nail that stands up will be pounded down.” Don’t let those that believe such things drag you down, they will poison your way of thinking what a leader is and ultimately, you will never want to get out in front or it will be that much more difficult to take the first step.
Good or bad, being out front is the best way to not only get noticed by your superiors within the organization, but by really knowing your stuff it is the best way to become a recognized leader in your field. Then, it is not so bad being out front. Thus the sooner you let go of the feeling that being out front means that you are the first volunteer to put your head in the guillotine, the better off you will be. Another advantage to being out front is that those you lead will not be afraid to step up and take the lead when their time comes.
Never forget that along the way there will be critics. There will always be critics just as there will always be bad situations that occur when someone steps up. You and your followers will recognize that the bad situations will happen to those that are just not ready to be out front or lack the skills that they will need to successfully and continuously lead through the path they will be finding.
Lastly, being a leader is not just about pulling your subordinates up and along but giving them a clear path that will lead them to ultimately go and blaze their own trail.
Getting Out In Front is also the most difficult leadership law to follow, as there will always be a stigma associated with putting yourself out front. The point man, the first person to arrive, the last person to leave, the one that everyone sees all the time makes you the responsible one. If you are the first person that management, peers, and subordinates see everyday then you are the person they will associate with being the one that knows what’s going on and ultimately, the responsible party (good or bad).
While there is nothing wrong with being the responsible one or the “go-to” person there will be instances when being that person is not a good thing. This may be where the stigma, of being out front is a bad thing, took root and from it the dark side of getting out front was born. Making matters worse there are plenty of adages that add fuel to that fire such as “the nail that stands up will be pounded down.” Don’t let those that believe such things drag you down, they will poison your way of thinking what a leader is and ultimately, you will never want to get out in front or it will be that much more difficult to take the first step.
Good or bad, being out front is the best way to not only get noticed by your superiors within the organization, but by really knowing your stuff it is the best way to become a recognized leader in your field. Then, it is not so bad being out front. Thus the sooner you let go of the feeling that being out front means that you are the first volunteer to put your head in the guillotine, the better off you will be. Another advantage to being out front is that those you lead will not be afraid to step up and take the lead when their time comes.
Never forget that along the way there will be critics. There will always be critics just as there will always be bad situations that occur when someone steps up. You and your followers will recognize that the bad situations will happen to those that are just not ready to be out front or lack the skills that they will need to successfully and continuously lead through the path they will be finding.
Lastly, being a leader is not just about pulling your subordinates up and along but giving them a clear path that will lead them to ultimately go and blaze their own trail.
Thank you for your time.
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