Many experts in the field of leadership have created descriptive categories for types of leaders, often with anywhere from four to nine types. And while these labels can help us to understand the behaviors of different leaders, I am becoming convinced that we can simplify the whole process and divide leaders in two types: tweakers and trusters.
A tweaker is constantly adjusting the performance of his or her team members by pointing out things they should do differently. Some tweakers seem to be motivated by a desire to achieve perfection and often feel that nobody can perform the task at hand as well as they could. For others, it may be a need to justify their role as leader by showing how perceptive and essential they are.
The opposite of a tweaker is a truster, a leader who shows confidence in his or her workers and believes they will do the job well without micromanaging. Trusters have confidence in their staff members and never worry that they will slack off or fall short in the skills needed to perform the task as required. They have confidence that the worker will come to them if the task presents a challenge that is beyond their ability. The staff members of trusters learn while they do their jobs while tweakers’ staff spend a lot of unnecessary energy worrying about the criticism they will receive and end up feeling that they are not really up to the task.
It has been my pleasure to be supervised by more trusters than tweakers. For the trusters I worked hard, confidently, independently, creatively and had pride in what I accomplished. If you are a leader, I urge you to know the capabilities of your staff members well enough that you can delegate tasks to them that you are convinced they will handle well.
- Herb