Sensei: Effective Leadership by Teaching

Sensei literally means “one who went before.” It doesn’t mean master, though you can call a master Sensei. It doesn’t literally mean teacher, though the most effective teachers I’ve know have been called Sensei.

Let’s keep it simple: the job of the Sensei is to help you get to black belt, to help you train. His or her individual accomplishments are not the most important factor and in a very traditional “dojo” you might not ever know the Sensei’s credentials and experiences other than through whispers, legends and stories. The success of the Sensei is measured by how effectively he can help you achieve your goals.

Let’s move this model to the business world. Consider this question: Do your employees really work for you? This is a serious question. Do they work for you, or ultimately, are they working for themselves? Is the job an employee’s entire life, or does the job provide for the life that employee wants for himself?

At some point, we are all in business for ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with this! Each employee is really working for his or her self. Each employee is working toward his personal vision of success & happiness.

The more you can support and facilitate that vision, the more engaged, effective and productive that employee will be.

The most effective way to facilitate this process is to become a business Sensei!

You’ve no doubt heard the phrase: “If you want to talk the talk you’ve got to walk the walk.” More people will respond to your leadership if you’ve walked the same path they’re trying to travel. That doesn’t mean you have to have greater skills in a particular area, it means you have to be aware of the basic human needs that inspire and motivate each member of your team. It means you have to be willing to provide the tools, resources, and training for your employees to each develop a capacity to act effectively. It means sharing the same process that got you where you are!

It means you need to be clear about your personal vision of success & happiness and be willing to help others reach theirs.

The teaching process is really one of sharing. Sometimes we share knowledge, that’s simple enough to understand. Sometimes we share compassion, sometimes honest criticism, sometimes experience, sometimes simply time.

“The Power of the Pack is the Wolf; the Power of the Wolf is the Pack.” The more you can support the personal vision of success and happiness for your employees, the more you will earn their loyalty, creativity, productivity and respect. Ultimately the success of any organization is a direct reflection of the personal success of its members.

Join me on Business Expert Webinars on September 10^th and I’ll share a 3 step process for becoming Sensei in your business life!