Recently I coached Mark, a confident leader with very high expectations. Mark was bright and capable, had climbed the corporate ladder quickly, and kept tight control of his team. He had little patience with mistakes or other points of view. Mark’s team’s performance was high, but morale and creativity was low. Mark knew his team had more potential and was determined to achieve it.
One thing we quickly learn with horses is that relationship and trust is the foundation of the herd. Furthermore, horses have no concept of time. For a horse, the end never justifies the means. Tight control works only until the restraint is removed. Without connection, trust and relationship, a horse will comply but not excel.
The horses quickly taught Mark the importance of trust, relationship, and mutual respect. Of course, as four-legged authenticity meters, horses would not respond unless Mark actually earned their trust, showed good intentions, and demonstrated mutual respect. Mark’s experience was surprisingly efficient and very rewarding. Mark learned unequivocally, in real time, how to provide a more trusting, holistic, and flexible leadership style, resulting in the highest engagement and performance in his organization. The learning served him well the rest of his career. He practiced a reciprocal pattern of leadership where he “slowed down to speed up”. The bonus was that Mark was also a happier and more authentic human being.
Is your confidence as a leader based on tight control or trust and empowerment? If you want to know for sure, ask a horse.
