Star leaders give willingly without a price tag attached to what they are giving. They operate from a “full cup” mentality. Their cup is full and they don’t need to take from others to fill theirs up. There is no price tag attached to their requests.
I know some of you are thinking, wait, Tangle DoctorTM, you don’t understand organizational politics. Actually I do. Successful leaders are politically savvy. That means that they know how to get things done through others without creating a lot of noise in the system. Those who are politically astute have excellent interpersonal skills and are able to inspire genuine trust and confidence. They are able to influence others in a way that they don’t feel used.
Those who are not leadership stars put a price tag on what they have to offer. They will do something for others provided that others do something for them in return. There is always a price tag. While this is the official view of politics, and works in some instances, it also stirs up resentment. In the long-run, it is not a winning strategy.
So what is the solution? First, observe your own behavior. Are you willing to give others ideas, information, and helpful advice without always expecting something in return? Or, will you only provide ideas, information, and helpful advice if you get something in return? Do you keep score?
To be a star leader, recognize that genuineness trumps manipulation.
