My reason for continuing to write on leadership is simple. Without leaders, what?
Leaders are essential to existence itself and yet the responsibilities that come with being a leader are not well understood. My experiences make it evident that most leaders believe that being an effective leader is about having and using the right tools. Almost as simple as changing the clothes they wear or using a saw and hammer. In other words, they are who they are only the tools change.
In fact, leadership tools are meaningless to the good leader because they are always “self” dealing with others and issues. The leader that does use tools as weapons to win over others may win the fight, but loses the battle. No one is scared without knowing they are being used and maybe abused and people find ways to get even. For the good leader their concern is about authentic behavior, communication and relationship; they know leading is not about “tools,” but being real, one’s self and what nurtures others and others do or will reciprocate.
Good leaders are good people and are concerned about those they lead. They not only serve those they lead, but also empower them to be as much themselves as possible. Learning about tools/gimmicks to lead is meaningless to them. They are relationship people based on respect, regard and dialogue. The good leader is whole and what you see is what you get. They possess an inner calling to relate to others as equals.
It is a way of being that comes from deep within a person. I have to believe this is the way good leaders were nurtured as babies and children. In comparison, how were those that turn out to be bad leaders originally nurtured? The “kitchen table” is still where we receive our lessons on behavior. How different are we today as compared to yesterdays?
It comes down to this: Our early lives are not incidental to whom and what we become. Certainly accidents and unusual experiences play a part in our being and becoming, but the “kitchen table” is one of our most powerful beginnings and we are only students to what others teach. Both good and bad is dealt us and we have no choice but to play those cards. Sy