When it comes to the solar system and the planets that orbit within it, Jupiter holds a special place of protection and offers an important analog to leadership.
First, a few facts. Jupiter, the fifth planet from the Sun, is the largest planet in the solar system. It is so massive, 1,300 Earths could fit inside it.
But size is not its most critical feature.
Jupiter’s magnetic field is the strongest in the solar system, over 20,000 times stronger than Earth’s. Its gravitational influence acts as a cosmic vacuum cleaner, capturing asteroids and comets into its orbit rather than allowing them to continue toward the inner solar system.
Without Jupiter, our planet would be bombarded with collisions from cosmic debris, and everyone on Earth would be less safe and secure.
Therein lies an analog for leaders. Good leaders act as Jupiter.
They view their most important function as liberating team members from outside distractions and threats to their productivity. They act as shields for their teams, removing obstacles, absorbing external shocks, and creating a secure environment so team members can thrive.
Too many leaders miss this.
Instead, they operate as if they are at the center of their team, with everything revolving around them. Nearly every meeting, decision, and resource flows through them. Their teams orbit closely, waiting for direction, unable to move without their signal.
While there may be seasons when a team needs such direct involvement, leaving relationships permanently fixed around a single leader’s ideas and decisions stifles growth and initiative.
Effective leaders take a different approach.
They understand that the most effective position they occupy is not at the center of the team but on the outside to absorb challenges and shield their teams from unnecessary distractions.
Strong leaders take on the brunt of external criticism and organizational pressures so their teams can focus on the work that matters.
For instance, when mistakes happen, the best leaders will often choose NOT to immediately pass along negative feedback or blame.
Since good leaders have practiced the skill of delivering feedback effectively, they know the disruption that unfiltered criticism can cause. Instead, they absorb the initial impact and then find the best time to skillfully discuss it.
Because focus is such a limited resource, one of the most impactful things a leader can do is to eliminate barriers and distractions from their team’s daily schedule.
By quietly taking on problems and handling them independently whenever they can, good leaders create an environment where their teams can thrive.
The best leaders don’t act like the Sun, operating like they are the center spoke of all team activity. They act like Jupiter, protecting the team from unwanted distractions.
Be Jupiter. Without the 95 moons.
