Tough challenges are all around us.
They are in our professional lives, in our communities, and in our families. They polarize and perplex us. They can seem unsolvable, unreachable, and beyond our ability to grasp what needs to be done.
Our toughest challenges baffle us. We can work on them for days, weeks, or even years and still not see progress.
Progress requires leadership.
Most think leadership is a position. (It’s not.) Most think leading is meant for the few. (Wrong again.)
Leadership isn’t …
Authority
Being the boss
Vision
Charisma
A servant’s heart
An inspirational speech
Leadership could involve these things, and many more, but it isn’t literally these things.
We don’t like the word leader. We know people use it all the time, but it doesn’t seem helpful. A lot of times, so called leaders don’t lead.
Imagine if people thought about practicing leadership or exercising leadership, rather than “being a leader.”
See, if leadership is an activity, not a position, anyone can do it. Some might do it more effectively than others, but everyone can do it. We all will do it differently. And everyone can get better at it. A whole lot more becomes possible if we see leadership through this appreciative and inclusive lens.
Leadership is mobilizing people to make progress on the most important challenges. And, it’s rare.
