Leadership and the Value of a Good Right-Hand Person.
In every project or leadership role that I have been involved in, I notice when I am missing that good “right hand“ person.
The role of a good ‘right hand person’ is one where they act in your overall interest, understand your intent, provide invaluable advice and make sure you do not cause unnecessary problems.
As a serving part time Army officer, I have a sergeant as my right hand person to advise, bounce ideas off, make sure that I am doing things right and, as he constantly says to me, “Sir I’m there to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself“.
In short , they keep you “real”, keep you grounded and make sure that you don’t look like an idiot.
On a recent client engagement, I was the Senior Project Manager reporting to a Program Manager. Our relationship evolved over time such that I became her right hand person. I made sure she was always informed as to what was going on and importantly she was aware of any political issues that were surfacing. Critically in return, she kept me abreast of the big picture issues and provided invaluable guidance and advice to me. It contributed greatly to the overall program success in a politically charged environment; and she was one superb boss to work for.
When I have managed programs or projects of work, whereever possible, I always appointed a right hand person. It was their role to:
Communicate freely and frankly with myself
Provide guidance and advice
Identify any blind spots I have not seen
Identify courses of action I may have missed.
The number of times I was saved from causing problems and saved from embarrassment, by their advice and guidance, were many. While I may not have appreciated it at the time, I certainly did later!
Leadership Lesson: A good right hand person is a wonderful person to have on board. Give them permission to communicate freely and frankly. It will save you many mistakes and embarrassment. Because as a leader, you are constantly being watched.
Philip Wagner is a contrarian Project and Leadership educator and practitioner, serving part time Army Officer and developer of the Leader IQ and Project IQ concepts of Leadership and Project Intelligence - He can be contacted at phil@philipwagner.com.au or 0419 001 911