The Four Quadrants Of Leadership And The Relationship Between Connection And Competence

Is it better to be good at your job or to be able to connect with your people? Of course the answer is both, but what's the relationship between competence and connection and WHY do you need both?

Hello leader!

As you’ve heard me say several times by now, and what I talk about in my new book, is that you should NOT be vulnerable at work, instead you should lead with vulnerability. Being vulnerable is about exposing the gaps you have whereas leading with vulnerability is about exposing the gaps you have while demonstrating what you are trying to do to close those gaps. In a work setting, this is the difference between killing your career or transforming it for the better.

Marc Randolph, the first CEO of Netflix once told me that he achieved success by doing 10% more than what was asked but in today’s environment it feels like employees want to do 20% less than what is expected.

In that kind of an environment, simply pointing out all of the gaps you have will not help you or your team.

Bringing together leadership and vulnerability is what I call, The Vulnerable Leader Equation.

What’s the relationship between vulnerability and leadership and why do you need both?

Below you can see a quadrant with four types of leaders and as I explain each one, ask yourself what kind of leader you are and what kind of a leader you work with. Understanding this quadrant is going to make a MASSIVE difference in your career and leadership success.