Leadership and Bridging the Gap

On my drive to the beach for a long weekend, there was, of course, lots of construction and traffic. But it gave me the time to notice the on-going work on the bridges connecting me to my destination. I thought about the “bridging the gap” idiom and how it’s connected to leadership.

As leaders, we might believe that it’s our job to bridge any gap for our team members. At times, this may be valid. For example, when we’re asked about a recent decision from upper leadership, and we explain it by sharing our insights and any history or inside information.

For much of our time, however, we take on the role of supporting team as they bridge the gaps. Gaps such as “How do I figure out my responsibilities in this new role?” or “What should we do now that my project seems to be stuck?” or “Harold and I don’t agree on the outcomes needed, can you make the decision for us?” Here, we can provide support, ideas, a listening ear, thought-provoking questions, and more.

I also believe that leaders need to create gaps for our team members. This is where learning and growth occur. We can do this by giving stretch assignments, encouraging new ideas or strategies, and challenging them to develop creative solutions. Gaps can be painful, so we need to be ready with a lifeline should it be needed.

What about you -- how have you managed gaps for you teams? Created them? Supported their bridge building efforts? Something else?