I’ve been thinking about leadership—Here are some observations:
We’re all leaders. You may not want to be, but we’re all stewards of influence and impact: on our children, our subordinates, our classroom, on the clerks, neighbors or clients we encounter each day.
Leadership’s a burden. But it’s not optional, so let’s do it well. Leadership can be dangerous; when we wield power larger than our wisdom, we put others at risk.
Effective leaders, I’ve noticed, have certain qualities; here are just a few:
Leaders are led. Even the CEO needs a CEO: someone with the right to tell you the inconvenient truth about you. Who leads you?
Leaders lead themselves first. They lead most effectively by example, earning the trust at the heart of leadership. They give up some privacy for the sake of those to whom they are accountable. Joseph Jaworski (“Vital Speeches;” 11/15/1982) called authenticity “the most central of all leadership qualities”.
Leaders lead by serving. Servant-leaders are indebted to those who grant them the privilege of leadership. Among their debts to those they lead are love, respect, and a willingness to endure inconvenience, pain and weariness for others, because there will always be hurt and weariness along the way.
Leaders speak humbly; They listen first, they listen long, and they listen more often than they speak. The smartest people in the corner office are the ones willing to say: “I hadn’t thought of that.”
Which means that leaders say “Thank you” a lot.
Leaders, of course, lead—but not always right away. They’re patient; they invite others to share a compelling vision, and accept pushback as a part of leading.
Leaders nurture new leaders, laying the groundwork for the day when they’re no longer there (which can happen at any time).
Leaders—and followers—speak the truth in love, especially when it’s uncomfortable. And speaking of followers, remember: those who are led are leaders too; they lead through honesty, and by showing love, respect, and even mercy to the leader whose burden includes, at times, putting up with us.
Leadership–and Being Led
