Who Are You?
How Is It That You Are Going To Lead?
Dear Leaders,
Here’s to reconnecting! I know it has been a while since I have shared with you. Yet, my recent engagement in personal reflection would not permit me to remain on the sidelines. There is this notion initially offered by Parker Palmer purporting that “Who we are is how we teach.” Brene Brown, in Dare to Lead, comes along, making it more personal to leaders and concluding that “Who we are is how we lead.” If this is the case, then there are two questions you must consider: Who are you? and How is it that you are going to lead? Before you begin to respond, know that leadership has never been about titles. Yet, so many people go in hot pursuit of it solely for the title and not the mantle. The leadership mantle requires so much more than the position. It requires selfless service. In addition, the leadership mantle requires sacrifice. It also requires dedication. Moreover, the leadership mantle requires hours of hard work. But, who are you and how is it that you are going to lead?
In order for you to lead others and do it effectively, there is someone who you must ultimately lead first and you cannot forget this person. This person is YOU. But, who are you and how is it that you are going to lead? You alone are an organization. You alone are the CEO of YOU. You alone have your own core beliefs and core values. You alone have personal systems and processes. But, who are you and how is it that you are going lead? As leaders, we know that when and wherever systems are running effectively, breakdowns are less likely to occur when we consistently perform system checks and upgrades. When was the last time you conducted a system check on you? When was the last time you initiated a system’s upgrade on you? But, who are you and how is it that you are going lead?
Where there are systems and processes, culture exists. Thus, you alone are also a culture. It is important to note that people can smell culture from miles away and the strongest stench seems to always come from those bad and toxic cultures. (This is one of those moments when I would say, “Turn to your neighbor and say, “That’s not me.”) YES! You are culture. Checking the toxicity level within your own personal culture is imperative and can yield great benefits in leadership. But, who are you and how is it that you are going lead?
In summary, you alone are an organization which encompasses systems, core beliefs, and core values. Collectively, you are a culture. Therefore, you must lead you first. You might question, “Why is it so important and so significant that you effectively lead yourself first?” There is this quote that may provide some insight which says, “Leaders bring out the best in others. If you think you’re leading and no one is following you, you are just taking a walk.” It is important, because people. For in the absence of people, there is no leadership. I say again, “It is because people.”
Your greatest leadership success lies in the people, which brings me back to the initial questions-who are you and how is it that you are going to lead?
Your teammate,
Dr. Ricardo R. Quinn
Leading Influentially For the Times
Leading Influentially For The Times 