The Leading Edge: Leadership Lessons from a Tracy and a Nancy -– Which one would you follow?

By: Nicole Karnowski

Many have heard John Maxwell’s quote, “Leadership is influence, nothing more nothing less,” but what does that mean and how do you get it? John Maxwell also says, “If you think you are leading but nobody is following, you are merely taking a walk.” How do you get people to follow? Sometimes a story sums it up best.

I was asked to speak to a group of women in a direct selling organization. The company was great, their product was great and their team seemed to be on its way to success. However, it became crystal clear that there were two people with the title of leaders, but each was leading in a drastically different way.

Tracy showed up as the leader of the event 20 minutes before it started. She had not helped set up or prepare anything. In fact, she had been worried about getting her make-up “on-point” because today she was receiving a sales award from visiting company leaders.

Tracy put the final touches on her lips before sitting down to enjoy the yogurt she brought herself. In between bites, she would check herself out in the mirror on her phone while also checking her Facebook.

When it came time to make introductions, Tracy stood up and made sure everyone knew that she was the leader of the group because she had joined this company before anyone there. Even though the other leader, whom I will describe later, had joined only an hour after her and had done all of the planning, coordinating and work for the event, Tracy made sure to tell everyone, “So, that means, you are all on my team!”

While the visiting leaders gave their presentation, Tracy had her phone in hand, scrolling Facebook, and, at one point ,went out to the parking lot to do business and sell her product to someone she had just texted. I’m not making this up! This is an actual story that is shocking but true.

At lunch, Tracy got her food, sat down and “Facetimed” her children, making faces and loud, exaggerated “mommy” talk at the table where other ladies sat.

Her behavior didn’t get much better throughout the day. She was constantly on her phone, and she continued talking to others while the event speakers took questions.

When the event was finished, she promptly mentioned she needed to get home right away and asked for some help to get things to her car. I don’t think I need to explain to anyone that this is not the kind of behavior, attitude or leadership becoming of a leader. If this was a case study, it would be what NOT to do. Tracy may have the title of a leader, but she was lacking maturity and not focused on helping anybody but herself.

The drastic contrast was her counterpart, Nancy. Nancy had been up early greeting the visiting leaders who came in on an early morning flight. She had made sure to drop them breakfast at the guest house, which she had also arranged for them.

After that, she went and set up the entire event by decorating, fixing the food and attending to details to make the day special for team members, some of which had travelled from states away to be there.

She also greeted people, had name tags available and started the morning by introducing everyone. This person was demonstrating servant leadership at its best. She was invested in helping others to grow themselves and their teams. She not only spoke as a leader but she was demonstrating leadership by living it.

Nancy was kind, honest, and authentic. She worked hard and humbly served her team and others. She was not fussing about herself but was making sure others’ needs were met.

Nancy demonstrated by her words and actions that she cares and values people and her team. She was also honest and trustworthy, and people noticed.

At the end of the day, I realized the contrast in the two styles of these two “leaders.” One was leading by title and position, and one was leading by influence. Many people can act like leaders, and some may even try to fool others into believing they are the real leaders, but those people will be merely taking a walk because they have no followers.

Real leaders will stand the test of time and be the ones leading their followers by influence. Choose to be a Nancy!

Nicole Karnowski is a member of the John Maxwell Team. She and her husband, Michael own Metamorphosis CCT (Coaching, Consulting and Training). They are business coaches who help individuals grow themselves and their businesses. They also speak and love creating experiences for the audience to remember.

Nicole is passionate to help people grow and transform to live their best lives!

Nicole has a B.S. in Broadcast News and a Master’s in Counseling. She has lived in nine different states and has called Minnesota her home since 2006. Her favorite things to do are spending time with family and friends and hiking and being active in the great Northwoods.