On June 4, 1919, the United States Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. It was ratified on August 18, 1920, guaranteeing women the right to vote, marking a monumental shift in American life after years of protest and debate. Women deserved to use their voices, and this legislation made it possible.
Women should have had the right to vote all along. Not recognizing that right made it appear as if women were inferior. But rights don’t need to be earned. They exist by nature, because every person has dignity and agency. As leaders, we can learn from the road women traveled just to be heard. The people we lead should not have to fight for what naturally should be available to them. Good leaders should consider how honoring the rights of the people they’re leading makes relationships better. Here are 7 rights people you lead should have.
1. The Right to Ask Questions
Leaders who don’t want to be questioned are people who desire power more than progress. Questions are what make us better. They challenge us. They sharpen us. Leaders who don’t take questions from people they lead hurt their relationship because it creates a culture of mistrust. All Pro Dad national spokesman Tony Dungy was a very successful NFL head coach in part because he valued the opinion of his assistant coaches. He’d consult them on game plans and strategy. He won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts because he worked hard and gave the people he was leading a say in the direction of the team.
2. The Right to Challenge
“My way or the highway” leaders typically aren’t well-liked. It sets up a “me vs. you” dynamic. That attitude alienates the people you lead. No matter the setting, others have the right to challenge you and the status quo without judgment. This ensures that leaders strive to do the right thing, be honest, have integrity, do their best, and give full effort. Encourage the people you lead to speak up. It will spark everyone else to be at their best as well.
3. The Right to Your Time
Not ALL of your time, but some of it. You have a right to set boundaries around your time. But, as leaders, we need to make ourselves available. Maybe most of your job is traveling. Maybe you have a ton of meetings to attend. Create some recurring space in your schedule when the people around you know your door is open to chat. Failing to do so will give the impression that you are not approachable.
4. The Right to Judge You on Merit
Everyone with a title—coach, professor, CEO, mom, dad—is a leader. All leaders should be respected because all people are worthy of respect. But those we’re leading should also expect you to be competent. Leaders are easier to follow when they consistently work toward goals, expecting nothing to be handed over. What you aim to accomplish impacts your perceived leadership ability.
5. The Right to Hold You to the Standard You Set
Leaders send mixed messages when they set up two sets of rules, one for themselves and another for everyone else. Always be prepared to do what you expect others to do. Asking everyone else to hit certain benchmarks without holding yourself to the same standard isn’t fair. The people you lead should expect the pursuit of excellence from you.
6. The Right to Clear Expectations
Without a charted course, everyone wanders off the path. Without a defined vision, everyone is left guessing what to do. Leaders need to set clear expectations. The people who follow you have the right to know where you want to go. When leaders’ expectations are vague, everyone gets frustrated. Be transparent.
7. The Right to Hold You to Your Word
If you told everyone in your office they could leave early on Friday, don’t change your mind at the last minute. You lose respect when you’re not true to your word, so the people you lead should have to right to hold you to it. You become unreliable when you back out of promises, rescind bonuses, or don’t stay true to your convictions. Do what you say you’re going to do and the people around you won’t have reasons to doubt your trustworthiness.
What leadership elements come most naturally to you? Share in a comment.
