The Leader In The Mirror

Dr. Rick Warren said, "If you want to know the temperature of an organization, put a thermometer in the leader's mouth."

People do what people see. They are mirrors.

This past week, our executive director in Sandpoint, Idaho, Suzanne Vega, worked the floor, washed dishes, and still went home to cook dinner for her son, Marley. Suzanne is a single mom living out her life boldly in front of her son and her team.

In the eastern part of the country, during the same week, Rita Hood was working tirelessly in North Carolina. Rita leads a massive campus, but she spent her time picking up trash from each apartment and shoveling snow off sidewalks. After work most evenings, Rita visits her own mother to ensure she is well cared for on the family farm.

Meanwhile, in southern Florida, Jimmy Wood has spent most of his adult life using his talents and strengths to serve seniors. As Jimmy commits his time every day to serving the seniors under his care by supporting, loving and caring for his associates, Jimmy is filled with hope and love because the future brings endless possibilities as he plans for his own spring wedding.

The Mirror Effect in leadership states that once a leader has been at the helm for 18 – 24 months, they cannot blame someone else for the atmosphere and attitude of their community. The community is a representation of its leader. This explains why followers of Martin Luther King Jr. acted so differently from the followers of Malcolm X. It also explains why Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime was so violent, while the followers of Mahatma Gandhi were so peaceful. These populations truly mirrored their leader.

If you are a leader, and everyone working under your supervision seems to be performing poorly, perhaps it's time to look in the mirror. Carefully consider what undesirable attitudes and behaviors you are modeling for your staff and replace them positive ones. Great leaders use the Mirror Effect to grow great teams.