While most people I've worked with would describe me as "calm, cool and collected," there were times when I needed to be very directive with my communication and actually give orders. I would always hold off as long as I could, to make sure I had received all the input the team wanted to give. As most leaders discover at some time in their career, it's necessary at times to engage in a very directive style of communication. This time for creative collaboration was essential, when everyone on the team had a voice and a leadership role.
Determining when to step up and direct versus when to lay low and allow the team to negotiate the next step is a key practice of servant leadership. With practice and a bit of gut instinct any leader can develop the ability to distinguish between helping and meddling, and to predict the consequences of his or her actions.
<...