We've all been there. We work with and/or for that 'leader' who is only concerned with their own advancement and their own agenda. They have little to no concern for the growth of others. In most cases, they will give it lip service, but when it comes right down to it, they are in it for themselves. At best this is discouraging; at worst it is infuriating.
Highly effective leaders are just the opposite. They truly care about the growth, advancement, and success of others; and... their actions show it. When needed, they will always put the needs of others before their own needs. John. C. Maxwell calls this the Law of Sacrifice: The heart of good leadership is sacrifice. (1) The effective leader will sacrifice their own agenda and self interest for the good of others.
And yet, too many people who ascend to positions of leadership see their subordinates as merely tools to use to them where it is they aspire to be. They will sacrifice others to get where they want to be and will not hesitate to throw others under the bus to save themselves and advance their own agenda! They have no regard for the consequences of their actions nor the negative impact that it may have on others. They are self absorbed and do not, even if they verbalize otherwise. care about the people with whom they work.
True leaders are others focused! Their whole agenda is to see how they can best support others and help them advance and be successful. The idea of holding them back or treating them unfairly or poorly is foreign to them to the point that they will do everything in their power to advocate for their team members. They will sacrifice themselves and their agenda for the sake and well being of others.
Zig Zigler said it best when he stated:
Effective leaders understand this and invest in others to help them get what they want!
(1) Maxwell, John C., The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You, 25th Anniversary Edition. p. 237
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