The Leading Edge: Team Leadership “Distance Made a Team Grow Stronger”

By: Karen Monnier

When my husband, Mike, expressed the need to relocate to aid in the care of my father, his boss was less than enthusiastic. It would mean being 300 miles from his team most of the time. The company was in the middle of a leadership change, and uncertainty about the future increased the skepticism. At the time, we were unaware of a best-selling book written by John C. Maxwell called The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. In this book, Dr. Maxwell defines 21 guiding principles, or laws, of leadership that, when learned and applied, are transformational. While we couldn’t define them at the time, they were already in effect and about to change our lives forever.

After joining The John Maxwell Team, I discovered how the laws of leadership have been in place all along. It begins with the Law of the Solid Ground. Trust. Mike’s boss had to trust that he could successfully lead his team from a distance. Mike had to trust his team to continue performing at the same level without them having his presence full time. The team had to trust him to continue to be the leader they were accustomed to, especially with the air of uncertainty hanging over the company like a thick fog. It was asking a lot from everyone. Trust. It is essential for any leader. It is critical when leading a team from a remote location.

The Law of Solid Ground did not happen overnight. Leadership is a process. It took time to cultivate the level of trust that would make this transition possible. A few of the ways Mike nurtures this culture is:

• Making a point to speak with each member every day to address any concerns they have.
• Meeting with each individual when he’s at the office and taking the group out to lunch.
• Taking an active approach in the personal and professional development of each member. He wants to see them succeed and cares about their personal lives.
• Engaging his team in career-building exercises.

What have been the results? The transition has been almost flawless. The team is growing both professionally and personally. Previously, it was easy for them to stop by Mike’s office and ask for a solution. Now they realize they can find solutions on their own. Mike is also experiencing growth. It allows him to focus more on the strategic and less on the tactical for both his team and the company. He was in my first Mastermind group for The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and is more aware of his areas of strength and weaknesses. His level of leadership is expanding, allowing his team to grow and perform at a higher level. They are lifting their lid of leadership and becoming recognized as a team that can lead the organization into the future.

Unfortunately, there is still an air of uneasiness within the organization about what the future holds. Instead of worrying, Mike and his team see this as an opportunity instead of an adversity. Mike says, “I don’t think my team or myself could have had this viewpoint if I was still in the office. I know we wouldn’t have been able to have a successful transition without cultivating the laws of leadership. Our team is stronger because of them, and, in turn, we make the organization stronger.”

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Universal and personal. Study them, invest in them, apply them and watch your professional and personal life take you on a journey with incredible benefits, not only impacting those around you, but your life as well. It’s life changing….even from a distance!

Karen Monnier is an Executive Director with The John Maxwell Team and owner of Dukoda Growth Alliance. She is committed to helping businesses, individuals and organizations live up to their fullest potential.

Karen has over 15 years of experience as a business consultant helping organizations define and follow a written Quality Management System to assist them in achieving certifications within their industry.

Karen lives in rural Missouri with her husband, Mike and German Shepherd, Dakota. When not working, she enjoys gardening, painting, wood working and life in the country.