3 Things to Know to Lead from the Bottom

Common wisdom holds that inpiduals can’t be leaders or bring change to an organization unless they're at the top of the corporate hierarchy. But it's possible to be a leader even if someone isat the bottom.

Before accepting a job,try to p outthese three things about a workplace in order to beable to lead from the bottom:

1. Consider the organization’s culture.

Many people start new jobs believing they can make a difference. That means trying to make things better orattempting to change the status quo. Those seeking to be change agents shouldstart slow, listen and watch to understand the organization’s culture.

Consider KimCameron and Robert Quinn’s Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument, based on their bookDiagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture: Based on the Competing Values Framework. It distinguishes between types of four organizational culture:

Aclan culture isa people-centered workplace where leaders invite and use input and feedback. Decision making is slow and leans toward what'sbest for employees. Generally the means justify the ends.

In a dynamic workplace with anadhocracy culture, leaders encourage small groups to explore radical innovation. Decision making is autonomous, rapid and decentralized.

In contrast, amarket culture is acompetitive workplace where leaders encourage internal competition between inpiduals and teams. Decision making is rapid and focused on results. Sometimes the ends justify the means.

Lastly, ahierarchy culture hasa structured and formalized workplace where leaders seek to control people and coordinate processes. Decision making is slow and geared toward preservingthe status quo.

Many organizations are a mix of cultures. Knowing a company’s culture and how it makes dec­­isions will help someone understand his peers’ and supervisor’s expectations. To change things, don’t work in a hierarchical culture. To participate in rapid, radical change, choosean adhocracy culture.

2.Consider the supervisor’s leadership style

An organization’s culture is oftenreflected in the supervisor’s leadership styles. The Competing Values Framework can be helpful in determining leadership styles.

A clan-oriented work team leader is a facilitator, someone who seeks interaction. He or she may also be a mentor, who aims to be caring and empathetic.This type of supervisor says, “What do you think?” or “How do you feel?”

An adhocracy-oriented team leader isan innovator, creative and visionary. “Here is where we’re going," she says. "Do you wish to join us?” Or better yet, she might say, “I don’t know if this is a good idea. Let’s find out.”

A market-oriented supervisor is a producer type who is very task oriented anddecisive and directive. 58003 "See if you can beat it.

A hierarchy-oriented manager could a coordinator or a monitor type, always collecting information and being technically astute.She says, “Here’s the process. Follow it.”

Knowing thesupervisor’s leadership styles -- she will have more than one -- will clarify her tolerance for new ideas. Hierarchy-oriented and market-oriented managers are less interested in change than they are in performance. Clan-oriented supervisors are emotionally supportive but will also be empathetic about others who have something to lose. Adhocracy-oriented leaders are more interested in finding a better way and have a higher tolerance for risk.

3.Consider peers’ and supervisor’s gifts.

The type of culture and leadership style someone prefers has a lot to do with the way he or she iswired and that person's gifts. 58003 Do this aloneor connect othersto people who have the ability and passion to make peers and the supervisor successful.

Thus it's possible to lead from the bottom. 58003 Then on the first day, begin to understand, recognize and enhance the gifts of others.