life in the arena

Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk about leadership with one of my colleagues and, as we delved deeper into the discussion, he mentioned a metaphor for leadership he had been contemplating - that of the leader in the arena.  While much could be made of this metaphor, we focused on those to whom the leader is watching and listening - those in the box seats or those in the cheap seats?  We followed with the assumption that those in the box seats are the leader's biggest fans and are cheering that person on...and that those in the cheap seats are constantly criticizing or questioning the leader and providing negative feedback as often as they can.  Based on that discussion, here are a few ideas for leaders when they find themselves in the arena:

• Keep focused on those in the box seats...have a list of who they are, be sure to regularly touch base with them, keep their encouraging words in mind, and move closer to them when the going gets tough
• Diminish the sounds of those in the cheap seats...remember that there will never be a way to please these people, they will never have the leader's best interests at heart (and sometimes not even the organization's best interests), and despite their intensity of comments they are often wrong or, at the very least, misguided
• Remember who is in the box seats...these are the people who have been the leader's biggest cheerleaders all along; they are often mentors and models of success; and they have nothing to lose (and everything to gain) by the success of the person in the arena
• Remember who is in the cheap seats...these people seldom have any relationship with the leader, they have often failed themselves in leadership roles, and believe that the leader's (or organization's) gain is their loss
• Don't become too enamored with those in the box seats...one's biggest fans provide love and support but can also become blinded to any failures of the leader.  Be sure to keep in check all of the positive comments that come from those in the box seats (see next bullet point)
• Don't completely tune out those in the cheap seats...every now and then a comment from one of the critics will point out a fault the leader (or their fans) may not have seen, or provide an idea that the leader (or their fans) may not have yet thought about
• Those in the box seats will be forgiving...the leader can feel safe around those who have been his or her supporters over time, so think about them when taking the next risk
• Those in the cheap seats will always find fault...decisions around leadership cannot be based on what this group of people will think or do; there is no way that the leader can disappoint or let this group down, because they just do not care

As you contemplate this idea, consider who the people are sitting in the box seats while you are in the arena...have you reached out to them recently to grab a cup of coffee and receive some encouragement? have you written a note of thanks for all they have done for you over the course of your leadership? and have you tuned your ear to their collective support, especially when the going gets tough.