Leadership is about helping people understand who they are and what they are supposed to do. In any situation, the superior leader will need to help subordinates understand their place in the team and their purpose within the company. Cesar Milan, affectionately known as The Dog Whisperer, has created a system that teaches humans how to handle their dogs more effectively. His techniques are wonderful for leadership because they make so much sense. Of course, we have to modify them a bit, but they work fine.
Now, I’m not saying people are dogs, but when you really think about it, we’re pack-oriented. We enjoy being together, we work better together than alone in many situations, and if there is a natural disaster, people from all over the world come together to try to help.
If you notice in any situation where there is panic, there is always someone who emerges and takes charge. This person is someone whom everyone will follow without hesitation. The reason? Because that individual is displaying calm, assertive leadership. It does not matter if he is handling people or animals, in this case the principles are the same.
the right energy
According to Milan and many others, including Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, the energy you give off will either draw other people to you or push them away. If you send positive energy from your inner being, you will attract more people than if you send negative energy. Our built-in fight or flight mechanism kicks in and we instinctively know not to follow leaders with negative energy.
Dogs can smell a frightened person from a mile away, well maybe not that exact distance. They can also know who is the head of the house and if the instructions you just gave them are real or not. You can even watch it with parents and their children. More than one father has wondered why his son disobeyed them, and when I see them in action I am not surprised. Yes, the sentence could have been “stop running” but the energy really was to keep doing whatever, I’m not in charge here. I even see it with leaders talking to their team, so leader is more than just a title.
Archetypally speaking, we would say that they have no governing energy. The ruler archetype is essentially about setting boundaries to ensure harmony and prosperity. People will always push the limits, but what makes them so safe is that they know they exist and that they will be reinforced. If there are no limits, there is usually no respect, it is also very chaotic. Too narrow a boundary and it cuts off the movement of people. Dictators are a good example of someone who has a lot of ruling energy, they’re doing it too much and now it’s not very productive for them. However, their desire not to lose control means they don’t know how to loosen control.
Understand how people work
A strong leader is always in control, but also helps the team move forward. They are conscientious enough to create the atmosphere that allows for results and for people to enjoy what they are doing. They set clear and appropriate limits.
If your staff are not clear about what is expected of them, or the deliverables, they will compensate to feel on track. Every team member needs to know that what he’s doing is more than just busy work: it’s an integral part of the bigger picture of the business. Especially with Generation Y, who will leave if their needs are not met, they are much more loyal and engaged when they know where they fit. The last part holds true for Gen Xers and baby boomers as well, it’s just that they are much less likely to walk and quietly tend to put up with or tolerate dissatisfaction.