Leadership Tip of the Week: "I Versus We"

As a leader, use “I” to take the blame and “we” to take praise.

Leaders should put their people first. No one likes a selfish, self-centered or narcissistic leader (see Kevin Dawson's paper on narcissistic leaders).

You can use a simple assessment called the “I Versus We Test” to evaluate whether or not a leader is self-centered. To use the test, listen to the leader. Does he or she  use “I” or “we” more often? More importantly,  is it “we” when receiving praise and “I” when receiving blame, or does the person use “I” when receiving praise and “we” when receiving blame? This will tell you whether a leader is “team first” or “self-first.”

Simon Sinek wrote a book on this concept titled “Leaders Eat Last.” The book challenges leaders to put their team before themselves. The title is based on the military tradition where leaders eat after their team. This ensures that the team has enough food and is taken care of before the leader. There were many times in the military where I ate last and was left with smaller portions or no portions at all. Although I was hungry, I was glad it happened to me and not one of my soldiers. They deserved better.  I knew they were our greatest resource. I also knew it was my responsibility as a leader to take care of them.

Try using the “I vs. We Test” this week, especially on yourself. It will serve as a reminder that you have to put your team first.