If you are not the head cheese (CEO, Chairman) then you have to effectively "lead up" to those above you. Our friend John Maxwell talks about leading up and provides us the knowledge that one of the main avenues of leading up is to lift your leader's load. Matter of fact, you should consistently be on the lookout for ways to take something off your leaders plate.
Here is some advice on how to approach lifting your leaders load so that you get stronger while doing it: Focus most of your load lifting attention towards areas where you are gifted. For example, imagine that your leader has to craft a letter to one of your customers confirming the commitment as to how you are planning to handle a recent service failure. Well, you happen to be a gifted writer and word-smith. Go confidently to your leader and request to take this on for her. If you happen to get a bemused look, proceed by selling your ability to handle the task. Give the letter your gifting and your boss will be appreciative when she proofs it. You lifted her load and put together a fantastic response letter that your customer will thank you for. Your leader looks good because of you. But wait - the real bonus is in store for you: What happens is your strength has been exposed and you are more fit after this workout.
I call it your workout because you lifted the load (took on a task) where you were strong and your Leadership muscles became toned to your boss.
You can apply this thinking to any area of lifting your leaders load. Just think: What is my leader having to deal with that I know I am good at? Have the courage to go to her and offer to lift that task.
Here is a formula to realize as you do this: if you can be doing it in areas where you are strong 70% of the time - that is an excellent scenario. As for the other 30% of the unsexy things you might have to lift - as Frank Sinatra says "That's Life."
If you find yourself only able to lift in your areas of strength 20% of your time - give that 20% a rockstar effort and watch your ratio improve.
For more great knowledge on leading up. Read JMax's bestseller The 360 Degree Leader.
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