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1-Minute Insight: The proximity effect in leadership
I believe that there is science behind that statement - especially in the corporate world.
We often jest that those who are "close to God" are ranked better than those who are not. While this is generally true, it is not for the reason we think.
During a recent leadership programme, my programme participants and I did a 360-degree assessment. As we discussed our ratings, a pattern emerged. The results showed that the people who rated us the highest on factors like strategic thinking, leadership, ability to deliver, resilience, and influence, were the people we spent the most time with. Those we spent less time with, rated us lower.
I took away three lessons:
- if I want to more accurately assess my reports, I need to spend more time with them
- impressions matter, so if you don't have regular access to your bosses make every interaction count
- for those (like me) who prefer not to rub shoulders with our bosses, there is a price to pay
