One of my earlier blog posts had to do with the Trust Equation.  That equation contains the indispensable quality of consistency in a leader of positive leadership behaviors if trust is to ever be given to that leader by a follower.

However, the truly consistent leader must also understand that it is his/her very capacity for consistency that may cause other people to begin expecting a performance from him/her that will raise their expectations for the leader while at the same time lowering their gratitude towards him/her.  They will oftentimes begin to take the leader (and his/her consistency) for granted.

I believe that’s an inescapable fact with which the leader needs to make his/her peace.

What’s the alternative?  Lower the followers’ expectations to where they’re thrilled with whatever the leader does?  I don’t think so.

On the other hand, since gratitude is an indispensable quality of happiness, I believe the leader must manage any of his/her behaviors that would contribute to the detrimental effect of lowering the gratefulness of his/her followers.

I do believe the fact of this poster can be mitigated by not trying to anticipate what the followers might need before they ask for it.  I speak of that principle in this post.  I encourage you to go there and consider it in the context of what you’ve just read.

The other component in managing this tendency of followers towards a consistently competent leader is to guard against crossing the line from helping to rescuing the followers.  This post on The Drama Triangle will elaborate on that important principle for managing this poster’s message.

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