Sitting outside yesterday on Brickell avenue, I saw a mother and her young son riding their bikes across the street. The kid was about 3 or 4 years old, riding a two wheel bike. Impressive.
Then the kid fell off the bike.
When the kid fell, mom didn't really react. Mom was stopped right next to her son’s fallen bike. Picking up the bike, mom held the handlebar so the bike was upright, looking down at her son. I could see there was some dialogue taking place.
The kid, meanwhile, was at a crossroads.
After hitting the ground - his fall was a 4 on a 1-10 scale - he looked at the hands he'd used to break his crash. I could see the initial look of shock on his face. I could see the kid was deciding if he was gonna cry or not.
Then he looked up at his mother.
Mom wasn't hysterical. She'd stopped, but hadn't even dismounted from her bike to help her son up. She was just holding his bike handlebar… and waiting. There was some dialogue as I said, but not much.
Then the kid got up. Got back on his bike and started riding - ahead of mom, in fact - right past me. The kid actually seemed to be leading the way and deciding where the ride would go next.
***
When you're leading, the entire group (even if it's just you alone, leading yourself) is following your cues. Especially when there's a question to be answered, which means, all the time. [shareable cite="@DreAllDay"]When you're leading, The entire group is following your cues. [/shareable]
Should I cry and be upset over falling off this bike?
Are we nervous about the pending merger?
Am I afraid now that we've lost our biggest client?
Your people are asking these questions to themselves. And you are providing answers, even when you don't know it. [shareable cite="@DreAllDay"]You are providing answers to your people's questions, even when you don't know it.[/shareable]
Do you get hysterical when the kid falls off his bike? Are you nervous or anxious in the midst of a challenge? Do you get frazzled when unexpected wrenches get thrown into your well-laid plans?
Then you shouldn't be surprised if your people do too.