Sometimes the word leadership feels like it is overused, misused, and possibly abused. Recently I wrote a couple of blogs related to fear, such as the Fear of Choices and Fear of Success. This is another one to add to the list of things we fear. Often “leaders” fear being a beginner.
Leaders know everything. Leaders are the best of the best. Leaders have all the answers – right? Well, not exactly.
Let me give you something thought provoking. Do you know any “leaders” who avoid one or more of the following:
- the latest cellular telephone platform
- social media engagement and tools
- electronic media/marketing
Everybody starts somewhere, leaders – lead.
Being a winner starts as a beginner!
- DEG
Leadership is not linear.
ReplyDeleteLeadership is skill that is learned, just like every other skill, first by observing, then by mimicking, then, through evolution-influenced repetition to achieve a dresired outcome.
Whether it is technology, vocabulary, mannerisms or uniform selection, leaders evolve from followers. Effective leaders find innovative ways to intermix different elements to meet their unique situations and goals. Retaining what works, changing or dropping what does not, and remixing, call it tinkering, is part of the process of leadership. If you like the outcome of what you do, then for the same success to follow, you must change what you do to address external changes that could alter the outcome. Said differently, “For things to remain the same, things must change.”
This connects with Dennis’ recent “change” blog. Successful leaders use the process of change to achieve specific outcomes. Every implemented change is, in part, a new beginning. Change, beginning and fear are an untangleable dynamic ball of worms. Unlike a balloon where pushing one spot will predictably enlarge the diameter or length (depending on the basic balloon shape), push or pull on the change, beginning, fear ball and the outcome will result in a new set of opportunities and challenges – a new opportunity for leadership.
Leadership is a cycle.
Gil Longwell
Meeting With Success LLC
Meeting with Success@verizon.net
Change and fear always seem to go hand in hand. Of course our fear of the unknown may also play a role. If leadership is a cycle, then the cycle must begin somewhere - right? Are you suggesting a cycle of change?
ReplyDeleteThe cycle has been (forgive me) cycling for so long that it is, perhaps better envisioned as a large diameter circular stair. Always upward, always the next step predicated, in part on all that have preceded. There is no discernible beginning nor end.
DeleteUnlike the stairs, however, there is no need to start at the original bottom. Now, through the magic of imagination, squish the stairs down to a single disk on a plane and you have a carousel. When moving at a slow velocity, one can jump on the carousel. As soon as your feet hit that plane, immediately, the stairs emerge and while you cannot go backwards, you have a choice... stay on that plane - or step up.
"Slow Life Stan" seemed to ask. "must I step up?
I'd suggest that there is no obligation to step up, but there is a potential downside to not doing so. This thought continues in my direct reply to Stan.
Gil Longwell
Meeting With Success LLC
Meetingwithsuccess@verizon.net
Interesting analogy and I agree there is a downside to not doing so.
DeleteDennis, great post. I do understand your point.
ReplyDeleteHelp me out.
What if I'm simplifying my life and work and "avoid" learning the endless parade of new tech advances? ...how would you counsel me?
Thanks in advance.
Slow Life Stan
Thanks for your comment Stan. In this case I would say that if you are in a leadership or entrepreneur role and you want to be successful, you should strongly consider "getting in early" rather than "coming in late." Sometimes "leaders" drag their feet a little, especially with technology. In some cases it could be because they fear being a beginner. (Of course, some leaders are the first to embrace technology.)
ReplyDelete