When I was about 10 years old my father bought my mother a blue star sapphire ring. To me, it was an amazing stone because you could only see the star of the sapphire when it was held in the light. My mother hardly ever wore it though. It just sat in her jewelry box so that nobody really had the opportunity to experience its beauty. About five years after my father had bought the ring we were robbed, and the ring was stolen.
Unfortunately, many leaders treat their people in the same manner as my mother treated her ring. They refuse to shine the light on them. And just like my mother, they have an abundance of excuses as to why. “It doesn’t go with this outfit”, meaning I don’t think they would represent the organization well. “It needs to be resized” meaning I don’t think they would be a good fit for this project. Or my personal favorite, “I am afraid of damaging it”, meaning I don’t feel that person is ready. There are plenty of other excuses that leaders use, but most of them are only excuses.
Some leaders fail to shine a light on their people because they honestly don’t know how. Others fail to shine a light on their people because they fear their people will outshine them. Still, others don’t let their people shine because the organization itself is one that doesn’t promote enabling and empowering employees. And then there are those leaders who have a personal dislike for certain employees and are determined to keep them in the shadows.
The reality is though that when your people shine, you shine. Your people and their performance are a reflection of you as a leader. They reflect your abilities to enable and empower, motivate and develop, and your ability to inspire them. When others comment, or even make mental judgments about your people, what they are really stating is whether or not the leadership has succeeded or failed in the development of the organization.
It is your choice as a leader as to whether or not you will let your people shine. Remember though, if you continue to keep them in the shadows, and fail to let others see their value and their worth, then somebody might just come along and steal them from you.
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