Passing the Baton to New Leaders
Three ways you can manage your frustrations when new leaders don’t live up to your expectations.
I have been a leader in many groups. I have observed a few different types of leaders but, for the sake of today’s topic, there are two I want to focus on. One is the change agent and the other is the floundering leader. Both are high-commitment leaders who leave large shoes for the next person to fill.
There are many ways it can go wrong. Some leaders give their all to an organization but their passion isn’t shared by other members. There are times when the next leader just wants to keep the seat warm or to fill their own needs. There are other times when someone has been in a leadership position for so long, they are burnt out and nobody could possibly live up to what they did for an organization.
I’m often the leader who gives their all and could stay in charge until it destroys my energy levels. I could keep going after that, only feeling my resentment grow. I got pretty good at letting go of my leadership role but I’ve often struggled, watching the new leaders do things their own way. I learned ways to manage my frustrations so I can continue to be part of a group without sitting at the head of the table.
Managing Frustrations
1- Find a new leadership role within your immediate organization.
This doesn’t always come from a formal leadership role. I’ve focused on planning major events, mentoring new leaders as they move through smaller leadership roles, and sometimes created projects for myself. This is good if you’re not burnt out and want to continue building your organization.
2- Move to a larger part of the organization.
If the group you’re involved in is also a smaller chapter of a larger organization, look to take on roles in the next level of the organization. When I was actively learning leadership skills in Toastmasters I turned to our district leadership opportunities to remain engaged. This is helpful when you’re trying to test the skills you’ve learned or want to be a change agent in a new way.
3- Take a break from the group.
It’s perfectly acceptable to step back and take a break. This may be critical if you’re burnt out. I have found this to be helpful to keep me from being angry at friends. Sometimes it takes a break for you to realize how important the group and its members are in your life.
How do you manage frustrations from a leadership change? Tell me more in the comments!
Sara Marks is an author, librarian, and project manager. As a multi-genre, self-publishing author, she has learned the various elements of the publishing experience and is always looking to learn more. She treats each book like a project, setting goals and working step by step to finish the project, all the way from conception of an idea to promoting the book. You can find her at http://saramarks.net.
