Liberation vs. Conquering: The battle for every day leaders

The smoke was still lingering from the heated confrontation in conference room two. The observers and passing by employees stood in shock at what they had heard – the struggle for power. Tim had won, again, by sheer will, obnoxious commentary and the higher title. Goliath had won in this instance and Sheryl was slain in disgust at his wrath. She was conquered again over a simple, misunderstood request that had led to a confrontation, with spectators.

While the above paragraph may seem a bit dramatic, I am convinced that you, the reader, can relate in some way. It is to these power plays and the conquerors that wield loose slander that are put on notice.

As I write there are hundreds of thousands of burned out, mined out workers who have been overpowered by their ‘leaders.’ The career websites are full of those employees who have been leveraged, abused and then thrown out for the sake of progress.

Working America is a melting pot of diversity and style in management and leadership, yet one thing is consistent through the course of time – leader’s desire for power. Power is held high in this society, especially envied at the highest levels.

These people are conqueror’s who use power as their weapon and wield it upon anyone in their path to remain in control.

Are these people, who spend their days priding themselves and their positions over others in the workplace, evil? Or are they really every one of us at certain points in our career?

Freedom from conquering does not come naturally. Every one of us must experience power and make a choice what type of person, leader, co-worker they will be. Do you remember the first time you were given authority over another person? What did it feel like? How did your attitude change?

I remember my first internship at a bank. I was given a great office on the top floor next to the bank president. I was very proud of myself. I actually began barking out orders, for a day. I remember Robin, the assistant’s, exact words to me. She said, “Jeremie, you might want to think about your role. I believe you are here for a few months and if you want the chance to work here you need to understand who makes things happen around here…” I got the point. My internship immediately began to lose its luster. However, Robin’s statement was a starting point for my road to liberation.

There would be many more challenges on my road to true leadership. I began forming my leading style not how I could manipulate or control people, but on how I can raise them up to be the best they could be. The truth is that my own liberation led me to want to liberate those around me.

Leadership is about power. Conquerors overpower. Liberators empower.

I choose to liberate. I choose to empower. I chose to be liberated myself.

As a result those that I work with have the chance to contribute, to innovate, to change and to bloom. As a liberating leader those I lead get the chance to become liberated and to lead via liberation among their co-workers and employees. They get the same chance at liberation that I received. This empowerment helps them understand their DNA, their strengths and their skills. Liberated employees lead to better businesses every time. Green growth appears.

The alternative is a mined out work force and a cynical and overpowered employee base that mimics the best Office sitcom.

So how do you know if you are a liberator or a conqueror?

Ask. People will tell you. Look at your resume, it will tell you. Look in the mirror.

Now, how can you become a Liberating Leader?

1. Become liberated yourself

2. Humble yourself

3. Engage with those around you and really care about what they care about

4. Ask people to help you

5. Ask God to get every part of your heart

6. Read the right books

7. Experiment and keep trying

In the end, choose to be liberated yourself. That is the best thing you can do for those you lead. Empower!

Written by Jeremie Kubicek

Jeremie Kubicek is CEO of Giant Impact (Life@Work, Catalyst, Injoy, Maximum Impact); Co-Founder of Giant Partners and a publisher of Revenue Generators. He is active in impact among the business world and faith communities. His wife and three kids live in Atlanta, GA. Jeremie@giantimpact.com