Microwave Leaders
If you’ve read virtually any marriage book published since 1982, you’re familiar with the personality traits known as microwaves and crock pots. Personally, I’ve always thought my personality was more like a grilled-cheese-created-by-an-iron-in-a-dorm-room, but maybe that’s more about me than you wanted to know.
Or maybe you’re just confused. Whatever.
If we’re applying the microwave vs. crock pot idea to leadership, it’s important to know where we stand as leaders.
I’ve worked with microwave leaders: huge vision. Rally the troops. Lead with a great deal of power. Start fast, crank up quick, make it happen.
I’ve also worked with crock pot leaders: those who lead over time. Marinate the vision. Lead by influence and culture-setting. Start slow, build slow, but still…make it happen.
Neither leadership style is bad. One is not necessarily better than the other. The first isn’t inferior to the second. Both styles just…are.
But whether you’re leading or being led, I think it’s critical that you know what you are and you know what they are. Knowing your leadership style cautions you from functioning in a manner that just isn’t you. Knowing someone else’s leadership style helps you avoid disappointment, unfair expectations, and frustrations.
So what are you? A microwave or a crock pot?
You know, I find that I am most often a microwave leader, but this summer I’ve become more of a crockpot…. I think it is mostly due to time constraints caused by things going on in my personal life (father passed away, caring for a widowed mom, surgery, etc….). But, I am enjoying this new approach, at least for now. Maybe once things are more settled I will turn back into a microwave, but for now, I am enjoying being a crockpot! 🙂
Michelle, these stages of life are incredibly tough. But I think you’re right: you can have different eras (or even different events) that will cause you to adapt to a different style. Thanks for the comment!