Leading from the back

Leading from behind  is an incredibly energy saving and empowering form of leadership. Adopting this leadership style, means that you are coaching, rather than doing – recognising the strengths of the team and guiding the individuals into positions for maximum effect. This leader can look ahead, course correct and lead from behind those doing the work – like a shepherd.

Now let’s consider an alternative leadership approach – leading from the front.

Leading from the front

This style of leadership is often used when making decisions and taking a front line or directive stance. Here the leader is leading by example, as a first responder – accepting the risks, consequences and credit for their decisions.

For some leaders, this is a natural place to lead from and often their journey of growth is to realise that there are other places to stand as a leader; to reserve energy and to enable others to take the lead. For other leaders, this is a more difficult place to lead from – one can feel alone, exposed, vulnerable and some even feel like an imposter.

At Escentia, we spend a lot of time talking about Leadership adaptability and how we intentionally think about the best form of ‘leading’ in the context of the situation. Out of the classroom, we then put this is to action working with Rosie Tomkins where we go into the arena with the horses and try some of these approaches out – the insights are incredible.

What is your natural style and how intentional are you in adapting to the situation that you are in?