Leadership is Like the Flying Trapeze
Leadership is like being on the trapeze. For one thing, it can be helpful to have a safety net that can hold you. There will be times when your reach exceeds your grasp, and a safety net can make a real difference. It is important to try new approaches and explore new possibilities. A safety ...
Leadership is Refreshing
We are proud of the ways our leadership drains us. We have such important responsibilities, we are the indispensable piece that holds everything together, without us everything would fall apart. If we were to take a vacation, or even a break, they might never recover. Yet, the leaders who inspire me are refreshing. It is ...
Leadership is Learning to Dance
Leadership is learning to dance. Leaders develop a sense of the rhythms of life. They get all the partners making the right moves at the right time, choreographing controlled beauty. They glide across the floor, or they fly through the air, hands and feet working together to produce athletic artistry. Some people lead like ballet, with ...
Leading Yourself First
Leading is personal. Yes, leadership is about bringing out the best in people and helping them work together to achieve common goals. But leading is even more personal than that. Leading is personal to the leader. Each person leads uniquely. You cannot become a leader by reading a book or just doing what someone else ...
Leadership Opens Windows to Opportunity
Leadership is like spring. Leaders cultivate, plant, and encourage growth. Leaders plow new ground. Leadership melts the ice and snow that have accumulated and throws off the weight of what we have carried around all winter. The leaders who inspire me open windows and let in fresh air and new light. Our organizations, and our ...
Leadership is Always New
Leadership does not get old or routine, predictable or boring. Leaders do not get settled. They do not become complacent and do not accept the “same old same old.” Leadership is always new. Leadership is learning and growing in new ways. Honest, deep, authentic leadership is about knowing who you are and sharing your true ...
Leadership Strengthens Community
Creating and strengthening a productive community is central to leadership. Leaders strengthen community when they make things clearer. Leaders do the work that it takes to recognize and appreciate their own core values and principles, and mentor other people in doing that deep work as well. Leaders focus their values into vision that points the ...
Leadership Transforms
Leadership is transformational. Leadership transforms leaders. The core essence of leadership is recognizing and growing into your true self. People who are asleep to themselves may plan and set goals, develop strategies, and manage well. Becoming a leader is impossible without knowing who you are and leading yourself first. Leadership grows from your core values, ...
Strategy Translates Depth into Action
Leadership is built on depth. I am able to lead with authenticity and integrity only as I recognize and appreciate who I really am. My leadership grows out of my core values, and is encouraged and fed by the time I spend in reflection. I am not leading when I simply meet the expectations of ...
Leadership is About Growing
Leadership is about growing. Leaders grow, and they engender growth in others. Leaders grow. The experiences that motivate us the most as leaders are the times when we grow the most. We grow wiser or more effective as we learn from our mistakes. We grow deeper as we gain more intimate appreciation for our truest ...
