Some people see leadership as being out in front.
Leaders are, after all, people who lead. They set an example for other people to follow.
The leaders who inspire me do not necessarily maintain a high profile. While they recognize the value of communication, they do not need to be the center of attention. They are good at getting out of the way.
The leaders who inspire me get out of their own way.
The leaders whose examples I try to follow understand that not everything depends on them. They spend the time and effort it takes to know themselves well. They do the work it takes not to get ahead of themselves.
They understand that their leadership begins with their own core values. They are centered on putting their values into practice, not on imposing their values on other people.
The leaders who inspire me get out of the way of the people around them.
I have worked with leaders who have brought out the best in me, then controlled themselves to allow me to discover my own values.
It is a challenge to lead. It can be a struggle not to tell other people what to do and how to do it, especially when that is what they expect from you.
The leaders who inspire me get out of the way of our shared values.
The leaders whose examples I follow do not allow their own leadership profile to get in the way of our work together. They appreciate that we are able to do far more as a healthy organization than we can as a collection of individuals.
Their leadership is shepherding in a way that draws us toward our potential.
When do you get in your own way?
How will you bring out the best in the people around you today?
[Image by B4bees]
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