Leaders are often described in one of two ways:
- Sage from the Stage
- Guide on the Side
An either/or scenario.
A Sage from the Stage is someone who is in charge. The buck stops here kinda gal or guy. The one who knows all. The final word.
A Guide on the Side is someone who works with others to create outcomes. There to provide support when/if sought. Willing to roll up sleeves and get into the trenches right alongside the team.
What Kind of Leader are You?
When I was a white water rafting guide on the Kenai River in Alaska, my guests looked to me as the authority.
I was in charge of the raft and the experience they had. I had knowledge and experience of the river, the ecosystem, the flora and fauna. I had stories and anecdotes to share.
Their lives literally depended on me knowing how to do my job right. I was the “sage from the stage” and it was never questioned.
My guests weren’t guiding themselves on those trips.
They paid money to be guided.
At the same time, I worked hard to facilitate an enjoyable experience for everyone in the raft. I asked each guest questions and listened to their stories. I acknowledged their excitement about being in Alaska. How so many of them were finally living a big dream of seeing its magnificent rugged beauty. If they asked questions about what else to do while they were there, I offered suggestions. If they'd had other rafting experiences, I respected what they'd experienced.
In this context, I acted as a “guide on the side.”
You Get to Decide What Kind of Leader You Are
I was young when I worked in Alaska. Still forging my leadership skills. I learned many important leadership lessons on that river and that fantastic state I've never forgotten.
One of those lessons is this. Effective leadership requires the ability to move between the two dichotomies.
There will be times when a leader needs to show up as the Sage from the Stage. Exert authority. Establish a hierarchy. Assure people about current conditions while looking ahead at what may come.
And there will be times that warrant being the Guide on the Side. Someone who co-creates and facilitates an experience. Someone who seeks input from others. Someone who stands at the back of the room and celebrates everyone else.
Like all other skills, flexibility to move between these two positions requires practice. I began that practice in Alaska and I continue to practice today. I haven't always gotten it right, leaning too far into one persona when I needed to flow into the other.
Mistakes don't stop me from practicing. The positive results I've experienced throughout my personal and professional life have reinforced how important this skill is. Knowing I'm a leader who can operate from both positions gives me quiet confidence and the ability to get things done well.
It can do the same for you.
In a chaotic and complex world, that alone is worth something.
