“Yes, Sir.”
For the sake of personal growth, go on and say it out loud.
Does it feel awkward?
Often these are the two hardest words for us to say as young leaders and old alike.
We have devolved leadership to an ‘art’ only on many . Something to aspire to but not something to follow respectfully. I fear that all leaders are required to have conversation now at every turn with every level of employee on just about every subject and decision. In fact, going one step further, most young people don’t want to consider themselves employees at all but rather see themselves as co-equal partners whose insights, thoughts and ‘fresh’ perspectives ought to be weighed and balanced equally with those who have sacrificed much, accomplished far more and learned many more lessons in through the fires of experience. Here is a tried method worth the practice:
“Earn the right to be heard”.
Hold on to your visions. Dream about your future. Work to create the culture you desire to have provided for you by first living it out in arenas that are within your leadership. Prove your concepts out through production and accomplishment. Be a follower that is invested so much, accomplished so much and is so respected by others in your environment that when you are given opportunities to speak, you will be heard. Above all else, get your job and responsibilities done………. really, really well.