This week we're asked to reflect on our relationship with a leader, in which we affected them. My current boss, and leader, at work is possibly the most transparent leader/follower relationship I've ever had. He has received formal executive coaching, so he has a heightened level of self-awareness that many bosses seem to lack. The servant leader model is what he has adopted and it is very apparent during nearly any interaction with him. Our relationship began really developing when he hired me into my current position. He identified my strengths in dealing with data and technology and saw ways I could provide greater value to the organization. Along the way, as I learned new skills, we went from a one-way task oriented request relationship to one that is more of a two-way back and forth. At first it was "this is the product I need to accomplish my goal." Now, it is "this is the goal or direction I'm headed, what can you do to support it?" That signaled the change from being managed, to being led and gave me opportunities to reveal new insights into what we can do as an organization. The root of all of this is how he is open to questions and feedback, with just about everything. That's been critical to the forming of this relationship.
