I was once asked to write a leadership credo. Upon re-read years later, it still fits for me and I still believe in it.
I believe leadership is about making things possible. Leaders see potential, possibilities, and connections. They align resources, remove barriers, and provide inspiration and motivation and, when necessary, direction to make things and ideas — big or small — a reality.
Leaders make connections with others, provide a framework or scaffolding of support and resources, and lean in or lean back as necessary. Leaders are generous with their time, a listening ear, and skills and experience, but they are willing to wait to share until asked.
Leaders are responsive, flexible, and adaptable. They are willing to take risks, and to fail, and allow other to do the same. They are willing to be vulnerable and to freely trust, knowing that’s the only way they will earn the trust of others.
Leaders are in service to their missions, values, vision, and objectives. Sometimes that means they take a support role for others – their clients, staff, and peers. Other times they take command or take control. Good leaders know how, when, and where to use which type of leadership for the best outcomes.
To be a leader, a person must be grounded in their personal identity and culture, understand their own core values, and be highly self-aware.
To be a leader is to be embrace paradox. Leaders are confident but humble, patient yet urgent, fearless but responsible, flexible but grounded, and strivers who have nonetheless have a plan B.
Leaders lead others and are in service to others. They live in reality and dwell in possibility.