Making the Complex Simple
If I take the lessons of Goffee and
Jones (2006) and use my differences as a way to signify who I am and what I
stand for to others, then I suppose I would be known for taking the complex and
making it simple. Although I very much relate to the favorite shirt concept, my
favorite has always been a certain pair of shoes, it seems that since high
school I have always had to present myself to others in such a way that they
are not intimidated by me.
School and studies have always been
easy for me; but, I know this is not the case with many. I remembering diligently
trying to make the cheerleading squads. I wore my favorite saddle oxford shoes;
and, try as I might, the closest I came to making the squad was to dawn the bulldog
mascot costume, complete with tennis shoes, and mimic many of the cheerleading
moves. To this day, I do not wear saddle oxfords. At first, not making the
squad was disappointing; but, throughout the season, more fans became engaged
with the bulldog than they did with the cheerleaders. I still had the same
amount of school spirit; but, by recognizing and accepting I was not
cheerleader material, I was able to let my spirit shine through the costume and
“win over the followers”, in this case, high school students, parents, faculty,
and those in the community who attended school sporting events (Goffee &
Jones, 2006, p. 32). I still own a pair of white, canvas tennis shoes that
still make me smile. I was able to take complex cheerleading routines, adapt a
silly, simple approach, and garner increased school spirit. Although I no
longer dress in a bulldog costume, I have maintained those principles and have
had success in applying them in my daily life.
According to Yukl (2013), all of the
definitions for authentic leadership emphasize the “leader’s words, actions,
and values” and my difference has helped me to stay true to all three (p. 351).
Taking the complex and making it simple has helped me to foster trust with
others. When my husband and I first met, he asked me to put $300 in my wallet.
Now, we were not yet married; we had just started to date. I put the money in
my wallet. More than two weeks later, he asked if I had any of the money left.
When I showed him all of the money was still in my wallet, he was shocked and
to this day uses that as an example to demonstrate how I restored his faith in
humanity. Maybe the act is not complex; but, think about the notion of giving
your hard earned money to someone you have essentially just met. Would you
expect the balance to still be in tact? In a perfect world, the answer is yes; but,
we are not living in a perfect world; hence, my husband’s amazement. In
addition to trust, I was able to show the value of “open and honest
communication”, ideals with which I wish to be associated (Yukl, 2013, p. 351).
Outside of my family, from which there are many examples of taking the complex
and making it simple, such as many, many, nights of Algebra and English verb
conjugation, I have been able to use this same difference to gain respect from
business colleagues.
I enjoy researching. According to
Goffee and Jones (2006), leaders work at becoming self-aware and identifying
the “what” that is inside them and “how” it works with others. I have always
been viewed as highly intelligent. I do not say that to be braggadocios, I say
it because I have actually seen people pull away from me because of my
knowledge. Sometimes, it can be quite hurtful. Many times, I will downplay that
element of my self-identity until people have the opportunity to get to know
me. I don’t “have a deep understanding of how and why it works”; it just does
(Goffee & Jones, 2006, p. 32). By engaging with research, I am able to
learn about various complexities and explain them in the simplest of terms. Recipes
are a great way to teach fractions. A white board works wonders when explaining
mathematical equations. Simple language provides the clearest message.
This past summer, I was a volunteer
for a local politician’s campaign. The Florida Statutes that govern campaigns
are extensive and often times quite confusing. I was offered the position of
researching statutes in order to insure the campaign did not violate any
provisions. I welcomed this because, in a world where politicians are often
seen as trying to skirt the laws, I wanted to make sure our candidate did not
become the center of any such scandal; and this gave me the opportunity to “express
and enact… values and beliefs” that would guard against this (Yukl, 2013, p.
352). Throughout the campaign, other candidates contacted me for similar advice
as they believed my ability to take complex laws and make them simple to understand
came from demonstrating credibility, being focused, and confident with my
research.
Being able to take the difficult and
make it easy serves me well. When working with others, by acknowledging the
task is difficult; but, still doable, it puts them at ease. Understanding
complexities allows me the ability to both accurately convey feelings with
words and non-verbal communications and to understand, through feedback and
body language, how messages are being received (Yukl, 2013). Am I explaining
this is a way that folks understand? Do I need to offer a different
explanation? When I am asked questions, if I know the answer, I give it; but,
if I do not know the answer, I tell people and then I go in search of that
answer. It furthers the development of trust and strengthens open, honest, and
transparent communications (Yukl, 2013). By devoting time, taking the complex,
and making it simple, I have been able to cultivate many of the values listed
by Yukl (2013): integrity, altruism, humility, empathy, personal growth,
fairness, and empowerment. Whether the subject is as complex as explaining
Florida Statutes, the principles of the quadratic equation, or maintaining a
balance of hard earned dollars, I have been able to take that difference that
lives inside of me and make it “attractive to others” (Goffee & Jones,
2006, p. 32).
References
Goffee, R.,
& Jones, G. (2006). Getting personal on the topic of leadership. Human Resource
Management
International Digest, 14(4), 32-34.
Yukl, G. (2013).
Leadership in Organizations. (8th
ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
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