How you prepare a bag of microwave popcorn can say a lot about your leadership style. Let’s break it down into three groups:
Extra Butter: This person stands next to the microwave and watches the popcorn pop. He or she is afraid to leave the bag unattended. The instructions were read but not necessarily believed. This person may pull the popcorn out early for fear of a burning smell entering someone’s cubicle.
On the job, this leader is a micromanager. He or she believes that staff need to be constantly watched to make sure they stay on task. Things do get done but there is an obvious separation between the leader and the rest of the team. This person also lives in fear of office gossip.
Pop & Go: In this case, the leader thinks the instructions play it safe. He or she will always add extra time to the microwave in order to get the most kernels popped. It’s okay to leave the microwave unattended while the cooking is underway. Burnt popcorn is seen as an acceptable risk in the pursuit of a maximum yield and can be picked out of the good stuff. Little time is spent thinking of colleagues who may have to smell it. It’s not unusual for the popcorn to be left in the microwave hours after it’s been popped.
At work, this leader is a rebel. He or she believes that people and limits need to be pushed. It’s okay to assign your team last minute work and leave early. As a leader, this person can lead a department to record performances but will also accept a lion’s share of the credit. He or she believes that if people aren’t talking about you behind your back, then you’re not doing your job.
Lightly Salted: This person reads the instructions but understands that microwave power and other factors can affect cooking time. He or she will remember the results and adjust the time the next time popcorn is prepared. While these people don’t stand next to the microwave, they are never more than a few steps away. This leader would pop another bag before giving burned popcorn to someone.
This person is a steady performer who believes that if you hire good people, then you should let them do their jobs. They feel more comfortable being a part of a team, rather than the leader of it. It’s very important for them to be liked by staff. He or she doesn’t mind doing the work of employees who are out sick for the day or are overwhelmed by a task. There is little gossip about this leader as most like him or her.
Are these leadership styles familiar? Let me know if you or someone you know fits one of them.
