Originally posted 9/8/15
One of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned this year is to determine whether a person is looking for a LEADER or a GUIDE when my “assistance or service” is requested (In my line of work I can do both; LEAD and GUIDE). And although LEADING and GUIDING are VERY similar, they’re also VERY different. A GUIDE will point you in the right direction, whereas a LEADER will take the time to accompany you to your location.
Unfortunately we sometimes think that we need a GUIDE when in actuality we need a LEADER. An even bigger problem is that we sometimes try to LEAD people that only want to be GUIDED. Either of these situations can result in time wasted if we don’t BLOCK the TIME to determine what’s appropriate for the situation.
For instance, have you ever asked for the location of an item while at a grocery store? Typically you’ll get two types of help. The “Leader” will take you right to the item, and the “Guide” will point you in the right direction. In most cases, when I ask for help in a store, I just need a guide… so when a person wants to LEAD me to the popcorn I’m usually not too pleased even though I know the person is just trying to help.
This scenario is just a small example that I think we can all relate to, however, there are situations in life that are much bigger than locating the Orville Redenbacher. We may need assistance choosing the right career, automobile, relationship, home, etc. If this is the case, the first thing that we need to do is make sure that the person assisting us is qualified to GUIDE or LEAD. Then, we have have to be CLEAR on what we’re in need of. We also have to stop trying to LEAD people who only want to be guided.
Food for thought...
I think that the most important thing to consider as a LEADER or a GUIDE is that you can’t LEAD or GUIDE a person to a place you’ve never been. Once you’ve “been there”, it’s a lot easier to assist others. As John Maxwell says: “A Leader is one that knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way”.
~Matthew