Leaders require followers

u201cIf you think youu2019re a leader look over your shoulder. If there is no one there, you might just be delusional.u201d

u201cI get what youu2019re saying, but. . .u201d

I was delivering leadership development; it wasnu2019t really training per se. Oh we did apply some new knowledge and practice some skills, but the real purpose was to communicate to au00a0 group of middle managers that their corporation was undergoing tremendous change and they would need to step up and lead the change for their people.

I did my simplified differentiation between management and leadership:

Managers are accountable for getting the work done, and developing their people to ensure that. They often work in a relatively steady state environment.

Leaders work in abnormal circumstances. The military often talks about leadership because what could be more abnormal than war. In business abnormal circumstances are emergencies and times of change. Then leaders are accountable for direction and attracting followers. u201cHey -this way -follow me!u201d

I went on to tell the participants that they had both responsibilities, but that the new circumstances required their leadership and emphasized the importance of followers and made my little quip about looking over your should to be sure people were following. It was a laugh line and it got some chuckles, but it also produced au00a0 u201c. . .but.u201d

From a workshop point of view this u201cbutu201d was terrific. (u201cOh good a discussion.u201d I said to myself). It was a rich discussion and it went on a little longer than I thought it would. The inquisitive manager kept interjecting his signature phrase, u201cI get what youu2019re saying, but. . .u201d

Finally someone interrupted him, u201cBob, donu2019t be a but-head!u201d The group exploded in laughter.

I was perplexed and they explained to me that they were echoing some training in another class, (Diversity? Creativity?) They had been advised to replace the word u201cButu201d with the word u201cAndu201d and to remind them the facilitator. had said u201cDonu2019t be a but-head.u201d

Iu2019ve heard this advice many times since, and this was the first time Iu2019d heard it. We continued the discussion, making some points relevant to the leaders need followers point.

But divides the conversation whereas And joins it

Leaders need to promote unity among followers

Either / or choices are sometimes necessary; more often Both / And is a more appropriate way to draw in more followers.

We moved on in the workshop, and the u201cDonu2019t be a but-headu201d comment became a running joke over the week. I was amazed how such a simple concept had captured the imagination of the group and had many applications to leading change.

Donu2019t be a but-head

But and And are both conjunctions, grammatically they join two ideas. And pulls two ideas together. But separates the two ideas. I was told by a co-worker early in my career how to get through performance appraisals.

n

u201cListen for the u2018Butu201d everything before the u2018butu2019 is B.S. What follows the u2018Butu2019 is what they want you to pay attention to.u201d

n

I took this to heart and probably missed a lot of positive feedback over the years. It probably added mass to the chip on my shoulder toward managers and anyone with authority over me.

Imagine the change in effect of:

n

u201cAlan you get things done, and bring in projects on time and on budget, and I want you to work on ensuring that an editor goes over your writing before we go live.u201d

n

n

u201cI love the creativity of this approach. I think it will make a huge difference to the client, and I want you to gather more feedback about possible downsides.

n

So a leader might avoid saying u201cButu201d when there are two very valid points to communicate and you want both to be heard equally.

Another circumstance to avoid u201cButu201d is in any kind of divergent thinking. When we are trying to expand thinking or increase the quantity of information or ideas u201cButsu201d get in the way. The most obvious example is brainstorming. u201cGreat idea, but. . .u201d has the effect of shutting down idea generation.

In any discovery discussions, as when you are gather data about customer needs or the causes of an accident u201cAnd. . ?u201d says u201cTell me more;u201d u201cBut says stop and change your information,u201d or u201cI disagree with you.u201d

When anyone says to me u201cI hear what youu2019re saying, but. . .u201d I expect a counter argument. If someone were to say u201cI see what youu2019re saying and. . .u201d Iu2019d expect agreement and perhaps action toward a solution.u201d

When but-heads are needed

Someone in the class made the leap that managers were u2018but-headu2019 but leaders were u201cand heads.u201d I said I didnu2019t know that that was true and I could think of times when the division of the u201cbutu201d was really necessary in times of change.

Anytime a group is doing convergent thinking, testing a plan, searching for risks or unintended consequences, a but-head mentality shines.

n

u201cI see from the sales projections that this product will experience a thirty percent increase in sales in year four, but what is that projection actually based upon?u201d

n

n

u201cI see that we are increasing gas production four-fold by a combination multiple well drilling, an water injection into the reservoir, but have we tested the stability of the limestone barrier that separates the reservoir from the aquifer?u201d

n

n

u201cI understand that we can speed nuclear missile response time with an autonomous AI response system based upon satellite imagery of enemy silo launch, but exactly how confident are we in the accuracy of the satellite imaging system this is based upon?u201d

n

n

u201cI know our truck customer survey data indicates strong buying intentions for electric vehicles, but have we mapped customers by region vs. the availability of 220 volt lines on the existing grid and the density of new charging stations?u201d

n

n

So is being a but-head a matter of timing? Maybe. It is definitely a skillset that is more useful at the end of an innovation process. I think it may be more about the purpose of your communication.

Are you trying to improve quality, weed out the uncommitted, test for risk, including bias, or unintended consequences? Maybe saying u201cButu201d and uncoupling two somewhat unlike ideas is a good idea.

Are you trying to bring people on board as followers? Are you trying to generate ideas, or discover fact and opinion, ensure that all data has been looked at?

Then u201cDonu2019t be a but-head.u201d

“,”tablet”:”

Leaders require followers

u201cIf you think youu2019re a leader look over your shoulder. If there is no one there, you might just be delusional.u201d

u201cI get what youu2019re saying, but. . .u201d

I was delivering leadership development; it wasnu2019t really training per se. Oh we did apply some new knowledge and practice some skills, but the real purpose was to communicate to a group of middle managers that their corporation was undergoing tremendous change and they would need to step up and lead the change for their people.

I did my simplified differentiation between management and leadership:

Managers are accountable for getting the work done, and developing their people to ensure that. They often work in a relatively steady state environment.

Leaders work in abnormal circumstances. The military often talks about leadership because what could be more abnormal than war. In business abnormal circumstances are emergencies and times of change. Then leaders are accountable for direction and attracting followers. u201cHey -this way -follow me!u201d

Finally someone interrupted him, u201cBob, donu2019t be a but-head!u201d The group exploded in laughter.

Iu2019ve heard this advice many times since, and this was the first time Iu2019d heard it. We continued the discussion, making some points relevant to the leaders need followers point.

But divides the conversation whereas And joins it

Leaders need to promote unity among followers

Either / or choices are sometimes necessary; more often Both / And is a more appropriate way to draw in more followers.

Donu2019t be a but-head

n

u201cListen for the u2018Butu201d everything before the u2018butu2019 is B.S. What follows the u2018Butu2019 is what they want you to pay attention to.u201d

n

I took this to heart and probably missed a lot of positive feedback over the years. It probably added mass to the chip on my shoulder toward managers and anyone with authority over me.

Imagine the change in effect of:

n

u201cAlan you get things done, and bring in projects on time and on budget, and I want you to work on ensuring that an editor goes over your writing before we go live.u201d

n

n

u201cI love the creativity of this approach. I think it will make a huge difference to the client, and I want you to gather more feedback about possible downsides.

n

n

So a leader might avoid saying u201cButu201d when there are two very valid points to communicate and you want both to be heard equally.

When but-heads are needed

Anytime a group is doing convergent thinking, testing a plan, searching for risks or unintended consequences, a but-head mentality shines.

n

u201cI see from the sales projections that this product will experience a thirty percent increase in sales in year four, but what is that projection actually based upon?u201d

n

n

“I see that we are increasing gas production four-fold by a combination multiple well drilling, an water injection into the reservoir, but have we tested the stability of the limestone barrier that separates the reservoir from the aquifer?u201d

n

n

u201cI understand that we can speed nuclear missile response time with an autonomous AI response system based upon satellite imagery of enemy silo launch, but exactly how confident are we in the accuracy of the satellite imaging system this is based upon?u201d

n

n

u201cI know our truck customer survey data indicates strong buying intentions for electric vehicles, but have we mapped customers by region vs. the availability of 220 volt lines on the existing grid and the density of new charging stations?u201d

n

n

So is being a but-head a matter of timing? Maybe. It is definitely a skillset that is more useful at the end of an innovation process. I think it may be more about the purpose of your communication.

Are you trying to bring people on board as followers? Are you trying to generate ideas, or discover fact and opinion, ensure that all data has been looked at?

Then u201cDonu2019t be a but-head.u201d

“,”phone”:”

Leaders require followers

u201cIf you think youu2019re a leader look over your shoulder. If there is no one there, you might just be delusional.u201d

u201cI get what youu2019re saying, but. . .u201d

I was delivering leadership development; it wasnu2019t really training per se. Oh we did apply some new knowledge and practice some skills, but the real purpose was to communicate to a group of middle managers that their corporation was undergoing tremendous change and they would need to step up and lead the change for their people.

I did my simplified differentiation between management and leadership:

Managers are accountable for getting the work done, and developing their people to ensure that. They often work in a relatively steady state environment.

Leaders work in abnormal circumstances. The military often talks about leadership because what could be more abnormal than war. In business abnormal circumstances are emergencies and times of change. Then leaders are accountable for direction and attracting followers. u201cHey -this way -follow me!u201d

Finally someone interrupted him, u201cBob, donu2019t be a but-head!u201d The group exploded in laughter.

Iu2019ve heard this advice many times since, and this was the first time Iu2019d heard it. We continued the discussion, making some points relevant to the leaders need followers point.

But divides the conversation whereas And joins it

Leaders need to promote unity among followers

Either / or choices are sometimes necessary; more often Both / And is a more appropriate way to draw in more followers.

Donu2019t be a but-head

n

u201cListen for the u2018Butu201d everything before the u2018butu2019 is B.S. What follows the u2018Butu2019 is what they want you to pay attention to.u201d

n

I took this to heart and probably missed a lot of positive feedback over the years. It probably added mass to the chip on my shoulder toward managers and anyone with authority over me.

Imagine the change in effect of:

n

u201cAlan you get things done, and bring in projects on time and on budget, and I want you to work on ensuring that an editor goes over your writing before we go live.u201d

n

n

u201cI love the creativity of this approach. I think it will make a huge difference to the client, and I want you to gather more feedback about possible downsides.

n

n

So a leader might avoid saying u201cButu201d when there are two very valid points to communicate and you want both to be heard equally.

When but-heads are needed

Anytime a group is doing convergent thinking, testing a plan, searching for risks or unintended consequences, a but-head mentality shines.

n

u201cI see from the sales projections that this product will experience a thirty percent increase in sales in year four, but what is that projection actually based upon?

n

n

“I see that we are increasing gas production four-fold by a combination multiple well drilling, an water injection into the reservoir, but have we tested the stability of the limestone barrier that separates the reservoir from the aquifer?u201d

n

n

“I understand that we can speed nuclear missile response time with an autonomous AI response system based upon satellite imagery of enemy silo launch, but exactly how confident are we in the accuracy of the satellite imaging system this is based upon?u201d

n

n

“I know our truck customer survey data indicates strong buying intentions for electric vehicles, but have we mapped customers by region vs. the availability of 220 volt lines on the existing grid and the density of new charging stations?u201d

n

n

So is being a but-head a matter of timing? Maybe. It is definitely a skillset that is more useful at the end of an innovation process. I think it may be more about the purpose of your communication.

Are you trying to bring people on board as followers? Are you trying to generate ideas, or discover fact and opinion, ensure that all data has been looked at?

Then u201cDonu2019t be a but-head.u201d

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Leaders require followers

“If you think you’re a leader look over your shoulder. If there is no one there, you might just be delusional.”

“I get what you’re saying, but. . .”

I was delivering leadership development; it wasn’t really training per se. Oh we did apply some new knowledge and practice some skills, but the real purpose was to communicate to a group of middle managers that their corporation was undergoing tremendous change and they would need to step up and lead the change for their people.

I did my simplified differentiation between management and leadership:

Managers are accountable for getting the work done, and developing their people to ensure that. They often work in a relatively steady state environment.
Leaders work in abnormal circumstances. The military often talks about leadership because what could be more abnormal than war. In business abnormal circumstances are emergencies and times of change. Then leaders are accountable for direction and attracting followers. “Hey -this way -follow me!”

From a workshop point of view this “but” was terrific. (“Oh good a discussion.” I said to myself). It was a rich discussion and it went on a little longer than I thought it would. The inquisitive manager kept interjecting his signature phrase, “I get what you’re saying, but. . .”

Finally someone interrupted him, “Bob, don’t be a but-head!” The group exploded in laughter.

I was perplexed and they explained to me that they were echoing some training in another class, (Diversity? Creativity?) They had been advised to replace the word “But” with the word “And” and to remind them the facilitator. had said “Don’t be a but-head.”

I’ve heard this advice many times since, and this was the first time I’d heard it. We continued the discussion, making some points relevant to the leaders need followers point.

But divides the conversation whereas And joins it
Leaders need to promote unity among followers
Either / or choices are sometimes necessary; more often Both / And is a more appropriate way to draw in more followers.

We moved on in the workshop, and the “Don’t be a but-head” comment became a running joke over the week. I was amazed how such a simple concept had captured the imagination of the group and had many applications to leading change.

Don’t be a but-head

“Listen for the ‘But” everything before the ‘but’ is B.S. What follows the ‘But’ is what they want you to pay attention to.”

I took this to heart and probably missed a lot of positive feedback over the years. It probably added mass to the chip on my shoulder toward managers and anyone with authority over me.

Imagine the change in effect of:

“Alan you get things done, and bring in projects on time and on budget, and I want you to work on ensuring that an editor goes over your writing before we go live.”

“I love the creativity of this approach. I think it will make a huge difference to the client, and I want you to gather more feedback about possible downsides.

So a leader might avoid saying “But” when there are two very valid points to communicate and you want both to be heard equally.

Another circumstance to avoid “But” is in any kind of divergent thinking. When we are trying to expand thinking or increase the quantity of information or ideas “Buts” get in the way. The most obvious example is brainstorming. “Great idea, but. . .” has the effect of shutting down idea generation.

In any discovery discussions, as when you are gather data about customer needs or the causes of an accident “And. . ?” says “Tell me more;” “But says stop and change your information,” or “I disagree with you.”

When anyone says to me “I hear what you’re saying, but. . .” I expect a counter argument. If someone were to say “I see what you’re saying and. . .” I’d expect agreement and perhaps action toward a solution.”

When but-heads are needed

Someone in the class made the leap that managers were ‘but-head’ but leaders were “and heads.” I said I didn’t know that that was true and I could think of times when the division of the “but” was really necessary in times of change.

Anytime a group is doing convergent thinking, testing a plan, searching for risks or unintended consequences, a but-head mentality shines.

“I see from the sales projections that this product will experience a thirty percent increase in sales in year four, but what is that projection actually based upon?”

“I see that we are increasing gas production four-fold by a combination multiple well drilling, an water injection into the reservoir, but have we tested the stability of the limestone barrier that separates the reservoir from the aquifer?”

“I understand that we can speed nuclear missile response time with an autonomous AI response system based upon satellite imagery of enemy silo launch, but exactly how confident are we in the accuracy of the satellite imaging system this is based upon?”

“I know our truck customer survey data indicates strong buying intentions for electric vehicles, but have we mapped customers by region vs. the availability of 220 volt lines on the existing grid and the density of new charging stations?”

So is being a but-head a matter of timing? Maybe. It is definitely a skillset that is more useful at the end of an innovation process. I think it may be more about the purpose of your communication.

Are you trying to improve quality, weed out the uncommitted, test for risk, including bias, or unintended consequences? Maybe saying “But” and uncoupling two somewhat unlike ideas is a good idea.

Are you trying to bring people on board as followers? Are you trying to generate ideas, or discover fact and opinion, ensure that all data has been looked at?

Then “Don’t be a but-head.”

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The post R U a but-head? appeared first on Wisdom from Unusual Places.

Originally Published on https://wisdomfromunusualplaces.com/blog/

Alan Cay Culler Writer of Stories and Songs

I'm a writer.

Writing is my fourth career -actor, celebrity speakers booking agent, change consultant - and now writer.
I write stories about my experiences and what I've learned- in consulting for consultants, about change for leaders, and just working, loving and living wisely.

To be clear, I'm more wiseacre than wise man, but I'm at the front end of the Baby Boom so I've had a lot of opportunity to make mistakes. I made more than my share and even learned from some of them, so now I write them down in hopes that someone else might not have to make the same mistakes.

I have also made a habit of talking with ordinary people who have on occasion shared extraordinary wisdom.

Much of what I write about has to do with business because I was a strategic change consultant for thirty-seven years. My bias is that business is about people - called customers, staff, suppliers, shareholders or the community, but all human beings with hopes, and dreams, thoughts and emotions.. They didn't teach me that at the London Business School, nor even at Columbia University's Principles of Organization Development. I learned that first in my theater undergraduate degree, while observing people in order to portray a character.

Now I'm writing these observations in stories, shared here for other Baby Boomers and those who want to read about us.

Tagged: Alan Cay Culler, leading