Leaving the Ladder Down
Recently I heard the term “leave the ladder down” in regards to leaders mentoring and bringing employees with them as they climb the corporate ladder. There are so very few leaders who are willing to invest time to help their people move into higher-level positions with more responsibility and the accompanying pay and benefits. Managers and executives seem to be more interested in how they can get themselves promoted while caring very little about the success of those down the organizational chart.
In our society’s ever increasing desire to earn and accumulate more, many business people not only don’t leave the ladder down, they kick employees down who try to climb up for more opportunities. The thinking is to rid potential competition so there will be more rewards for those at the top. Obviously, this is seriously flawed thinking.
As a leader, take notice of those around you. If people who worked for you over the years had to resign to find other opportunities, you likely didn’t leave the ladder down.
Therefore, I present a challenge to all leaders: leave the ladder down. Bring people with you on your journey to higher levels of success. It doesn’t have to be lonely at the top.
Kevin Kennemer, the founder of The People Group, is a great workplace advocate, consultant, speaker and writer who blogs daily on relevant workplace issues regarding company culture, leadership, worklife trends, and how companies can exceed their financial performance expectations by treating employees with dignity, trust and respect.
As I read “Leaving the Ladder Down” I was reminded of the lyrics to a Little Feat song “On Your Way Down”
People fly high begin to lose sight
You can’t see very clearly when you’re in flight
It’s high time that you found
The same people you misuse on your way up
You might meet up
On your way down
Me again. I accidently hit submit before closing. I love your site. Iwas recently bullied & harrassed out of a 17 year teaching job which used to be my life’s passion but I grew to hate due to bully bosses, bully parents & No Child Left Behind. I cried while reading your piece on keeping perspective. I lost my husband 11 years into that job after 8.5 yrs of chemotherapy. I know perspective well. The last 2 years of stress & anxiety & depression were literally killing me. Administrators were spineless bullies who allowed the parents to run the school & they all were, of course, certified & licensed. Too late for me, but hope you make a difference. Remind people that sometimes those withOUT perspective hate those WITH it as it often imbues a kind of calmness & wisdom from the experiences which taught us that perspective. Thanks for letting me speak out (& ramble!).
Hi Donna, thank you for your comments. I am very sorry for your loss and do not understand why people allow the “business” to overrule the basics of life, respect and civility. In many ways we are swimming upstream while the cultural current pushes against us. Treating people with dignity and respect is the right thing to do – AND – it is the most advantageous way of life for business owners who also want to achieve financial success. See you around the comment section again.
To Your Success,
Kevin