LEADERSHIP? You? Isn’t that just for the top of the ‘food chain’? You just want an entry-level job, a promotion to the next rung, or to simply keep your job in tight times, right? In today’s world, you think to yourself, you’ll be lucky to get to a leadership position in the next five years. Wrong! If leadership is not the most overused and misunderstood word, then it certainly ranks in the top ten in today’s corporate corridors. It’s time to set the record straight.
Leadership is not about title or position or being the decider, That’s positional authority. It’s not about knowing it all, creating a fearful atmosphere, or getting obedience from others even if that seems to be the everyday behaviour in your organisation. No, real leadership is about collaboration, asking questions that promote learning, and creating an atmosphere of innovation. And, real leadership is for everyone. Moreover, it can be honed with practice, but it starts internally and grows from there.
My experience coupled with research helps me understand real leadership is a way of life. It is a choice about creating open, honest, authentic relationships that urge others to want to discover their power and focus on what matters to them and their community. It is about knowing what matters to you and what you want from your life, not just your job. Real leaders ask, “what do I want my life to look like today” not, “what do I have to do today”. Big difference.
There are four simple principles to keep in mind as you begin your new leadership journey.
First, Show Up. Be present at all times. Leadership is a moment-to-moment choice. Close the gap between your beliefs and behaviours. If you can’t walk the talk, sit down and zip your lips. Listening deeply to others and considering their perspective is a must. Closing the gap creates a credibility path so that others want to “join” with you and not just be viewed as mere followers. If you reflect on the difference between the words ‘join” and “follow”, I think you will agree that it’s more than just semantics.
Secondly, Speak Up. Be heard. Discover your voice. Help others find theirs. Speak from your heart and create a vision story that offers a script of a positive future as well as everyone’s potential role in it. Consider today’s story and what the future needs to look like. Keep in mind who or what will assist or oppose. Invite others to join. Just because they are working with you doesn’t mean they feel welcomed. They need to know the benefits of walking the path with you.
Third, Step Up. Be an action hero. Erase your limiting thoughts. Question everything, especially systems, policies and procedures. Urge others to blow up their mental boundaries and see obstacles as opportunities for innovation. Remember, it’s okay to fail, but always fail forward. Not getting the result you thought you would get from an action might be the best learning tool on the planet.
Finally, Serve Up. Be of service at all times. Be an integral part of a diversified cast of talented leaders. Honour everyone’s individuality. Recognise efforts in a creative and meaningful manner. Create your masterpiece and help others create theirs.
What’s the best way to get started? Create a vision. But, not just any plain vanilla vision that’s plastered to the wall and checked off the to-do list. Real leaders create a “Vision Story” for everyone to own. With that in mind, I offer you a quick peek at “The Never Ending Story”, a process that helps others create a vision that is sure to shake up any organisation, rattle brains and cause hearts to roll. Here are the questions in brief: What are your passions around this new vision possibility? What is your current reality? Leave nothing off the table. What should the future look like? Expand your thoughts. Who are your champions? What are the obstacles? How deep is your commitment? Have you invited your team to join? What are the benefits? Why do you want this?
Show Up, Speak Up, Serve Up
WHEN YOU HAVE answered these questions to your satisfaction you are ready to write your Vision Story. Be sure to keep it in draft form until you have shared it with your team. Let them participate in the creative process. That way everyone owns the future. In this multi-step method, you are probed for your thoughts around who you are and what you want to accomplish. Be real with yourself and don’t hold back. If you are not true to yourself, why should anyone care to join you on a journey towards success?
Be sure your story is brief, specific and easily understood by those you wish to engage. Of course, all stories should have the p r o v e r b i a l happy ending. Why would anyone willingly join a march with a terrible ending? Ask for change with a “call to action”, but be clear with your request. Remember, you are asking people to go with you to a new place that might be uncomfortable for them. If you wish, be sure to add some real or imagined characters with dialogue to move the story along. That will certainly enhance the connection. And certainly add any elements from your past successes as ways to prove it can be done. You may also research famous quotations that might help motivate your colleagues.
When you are finished ask yourself, “What is the core theme?” That will be your “sound bite” that everyone will focus on. Have fun with this process. Quiet that small voice inside that harps at you about your lack of creative talent. Allow your creative side to emerge. Let your leader out to play. A great Vision Story is a waste of time for you and others if you are not committed to Showing Up, Speaking Up, Stepping Up and Serving Up… together. Over the years, I have learned that with commitment, people willingly join with you to climb the highest peak. They will help you challenge the largest obstacles. Without commitment, nothing changes. Not you. Not them. Nothing.
