In this new interview series, we’ll share insight from leaders who have been there, done that and lived to tell the tale.
First up, we hear from Bob Mason, whose 30-year military career taught him the ins and outs of being a strong leader. Starting with a small team at the young age of 19, he honed his skills leading ever larger and more complex teams, eventually commanding four different squadrons, including the Air Force’s largest munitions squadron. He now channels all that knowledge into coaching new and first-time leaders to reach their full potential.
What do you believe is the most important skill for a new leader to possess? Why?
I get this question a lot. It seems people are always looking for the “one thing” that will make them successful. Unfortunately, there is no one most important skill for new leaders, but there are several character traits that will put an aspiring leader on the right track:
- Integrity. Leaders without integrity are bad leaders and will not earn the respect of their teams. They may find success in the short term, but will experience miserable failures in the long run.
- A willingness to learn. Successful leaders recognize their weaknesses and are comfortable surrounding themselves with people who are smarter than they are. Any leader who believes they are the smartest person in the room is in the wrong room.
- Self-awareness. They know who they are, what’s important to them, and what they value most. Interestingly, the team will figure that out pretty quickly, so the leader must arrive at the realization first.
What tips can you offer our readers to build their confidence so that they quickly gain the trust and respect of their employees?Â
First, never fake confidence. Leaders who try that are fooling themselves. Their employees are not stupid and will see through the scam. Always be authentic. A leader who doesn’t have the occasional doubts, at least privately, is dangerous. It takes strength and confidence to admit ignorance and ask for help. Remember, ignorance is simply a state of not knowing. We are all ignorant in some regard. On the other hand, being stupid is knowingly acting on ignorance.
Luckily, a leader can build self-confidence by learning the fundamentals of leadership, by building self-awareness and accountability, and by creating a strong leadership philosophy. We developed The Confident Leader™ workshop to walk new leaders through those four steps so that they gain the confidence they need to lead effectively.
What is the biggest mistake, in your opinion, that first time leaders make?
They take themselves too seriously. Yes, leading a team is a serious responsibility, but that doesn’t mean leaders must be stiff, unbending and aloof. Everyone knows you’re in charge. It’s possible to act like a leader and still have fun.
If you could offer new leaders one bit of advice, what would it be?
Know your team’s members and its mission. Make sure the team clearly understands that mission and each member understands their importance to accomplishing that mission. Also, make sure the team knows that you understand each member’s importance to the mission.
Any final thoughts you want to share with our readers?
Leadership is an awesome responsibility, but it’s also a great opportunity. It’s not always easy, and sometimes it’s frustrating. Remember that you lead the team, but you’re also part of the team. Watching the team, and its members succeed is a reward worth more than anything else the company can provide.
Bob Mason works with organizations who want energized leaders, engaged employees, and more profits. During a military career spanning 30 years, Bob was fortunate to learn leadership from some great leaders. Bob has studied leadership extensively, but more important, he has been there, working with real people, making hard decisions, and experiencing the results.Â
On retirement from the Air Force, Bob started a company to bring the effective leadership techniques he learned to the corporate world where he has worked with first-time supervisors, managers and executives in both profit and non-profit organizations. In 2014, he joined with Steve Alltop to form The The Daedalus Group.Â
Photo Credit:Â http://www.freeimages.com/photo/thunderbirds-in-action-1561251
And I was fortunate enough to have worked for him under his leadership and exemplary guidance, during a critical time in Air Force history. I used every bit to succeed for the last 8 years.
Thanks, Bob (Sir!).
Brian Leo