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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 corporate 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.
In my book,
The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable, Gwen,
a key character, learns 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.
Real leadership is about collaboration, asking questions
that promote learning, and creating an atmosphere of
innovation. And, she also learns, real leadership is for
everyone. Moreover, it can be honed with practice, but
it starts internally and grows from there.
Gwen comes
to 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. Gwen
learns 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 to remember principles to keep in mind as
you begin a leadership journey like Gwen. We call them
Robert's Rules: The Four Commitments.
First,
Show Up. Be present at all times. Leadership is a
moment-to-moment choice. Close the gap between your
beliefs and behaviors. If you can't walk the talk, sit
down and zip your lips. Listening deeply to others and
considering their perspective is a must. This gap
closure creates a credibility path so that others want
to "join" with you and not just be viewed as mere
followers.
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. 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.
Honor everyone's individuality. Recognize efforts
creatively and meaningfully. Create your masterpiece and
help others create theirs.
And don't
forget to commit. Gwen learned that with commitment,
people will climb the highest peak to help you challenge
the largest obstacles. Without commitment, nothing
changes. Not you. Not them. Nothing!
Robert
H.Thompson is the author of The Offsite: A Leadership
Challenge Fable, a speaker and executive coach. He
can be reached at
http://www.leaderinsideout.com.
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