June 5, 2023

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. —Lao Tzu

The main job of a leader is to teach others how to teach themselves to be their best. Brian Cain once told me that leaders do not motivate; they teach people how to motivate themselves. Looking at this quote, that idea works perfectly. As leaders, we need to figure out what motivates each individual on our team. We need to develop each individual on our team to reach their highest potential. When we can accomplish these two things, we will have teams that are high functioning. So much so it seems like they don't need us at all. Now, that isn't the case. We still need to provide praise, development opportunities, gratitude, and growth ideas, but when our team is able to be self-sufficient, we have done our job as a leader.  The novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" by Zhuge Liang illustrates this perfectly. During the period of the Three Kingdoms in ancient China, Zhuge Liang served as the chief strategist for the warlord Liu Bei. In one instance, Liu Bei's kingdom was facing a severe drought and famine, and the people were suffering greatly. Zhuge Liang devised a plan to solve the crisis by directing the construction of an irrigation system to bring water to the fields. He organized the labor, supervised the engineering, and ensured the project's successful completion. However, Zhuge Liang deliberately stayed behind the scenes, not seeking recognition or personal glory. He wanted the people to believe that they accomplished the task themselves, instilling a sense of ownership and pride within them. When the irrigation system was completed, the land flourished with abundant crops, and the people rejoiced in their newfound prosperity. They attributed the success to their collective efforts, unaware of Zhuge Liang's instrumental role. Zhuge Liang exemplifies a leader who quietly and skillfully guided his people toward a positive outcome, allowing them to take ownership of their achievements. By empowering the people and minimizing his own visibility, Zhuge Liang fostered a sense of self-sufficiency and unity among them. The tale of Zhuge Liang and the irrigation system serves as a timeless reminder of the transformative power of leadership that operates behind the scenes, enabling others to shine and take pride in their accomplishments.