I believe leadership is more about “being a servant” than it is about “being served.” I’ve been around many people in leadership positions that don’t get this. Amazing isn’t it?
Let me illustrate my point. As a leader what I most often do is delegate, direct, answer questions, solve problems, etc. In other words, I don’t actually “do” anything. So why am I here? I’m here to enable others to be effective … to succeed. If I’m not willing to be there when they need me, then how can I possibly be an effective “leader?” When someone on my team needs me (for anything!) they know they can always call me. I will never give them grief for calling me on my cell phone or at home. They will never be sorry that they sent me an e-mail. In fact, one of the first and last things I say when someone on the team calls me is “thanks for calling.”
What about those who would say, “How do you get anything done if you are constantly being bothered?” Or, “How do you have a life outside of work if your team can easily contact you day or night?” To them, I say that I’ve been doing this for a very long time, and I’ve always said great leaders are accessible leaders.
Never once has it been a problem.