Here I am posting a thought about leadership and I am cringing a bit. Not that I am not passionate about leadership, I am. I cringe, I think, because we (those of us who live and breathe leadership) have gotten lost over the years. For the more I get into the true essence of leadership, I get the clear sense that all of the hype, the sales, the workshops, books and 7 step processes are more about successful business models rather than helping to build better leaders in the world. That is not a bad thing, mind you for I too have a business model that I use to create my leadership training throughout the world. I just think that we get lost somewhere between the hype, sales, and ego and that of truly making a difference for people in the world.
I am finding that the word leadership is sadly overused, abused and blurred to the point where even when one hears the word “leadership” one sees a picture in the mind that is illusion at best.
I was working with a wonderful group of educated, bright and committed career professionals not too long ago when after attending a two day workshop had had developed for them, they admitted they had attended countless workshops on leadership and team-building throughout their careers and NEVER had they had they experienced a concept of leadership that was so deeply personal and meaningful. Never had they been asked to discover their own core values and to ask the tough questions as to whether they were living their lives in each moment in alignment with their values. Never had they thought in a meaningful way as to their purpose in life and how choosing to live within their core values that flowed towards their purpose could bring such joy, passion, commitment and energy in their life.
That was a wonderful moment as they had begun to learn about what leadership truly is and always has been. They saw were leadership is simply having the courage and commitment to be whom one was created to be… that leadership is simply leading one’s self. It is the knowing of what one stands for (core values) and the understanding of the power and joy that comes with choosing to act within ones values and purpose. They began to see the possibilities of finding shared visions and values from their own lives with those of where they worked and from their colleagues. They began to see the ways of finding joy both at home and at work in a way that gave their lives meaning, purpose and best of all joy. They began to learn what true leadership was all about – and it was not what they had been taught before.
When one opens their mind to the possibilities of what can be, becomes aware of how reality is created along with the infinite realities that can exist, and the true power and impact of thoughts, intentions and action; then one becomes open to the infinite possibilities of personal leadership. When one does, they find that leadership is not the managing, administering, or “controlling” events at all. Rather it is the realization of the power within each of us and our ability make real our dreams and hopes. It is leading from deep within ourselves and with others in a way that creates sustainable outcomes that most thought were impossible. It is the power to create lives of meaning and purpose and to change the reality of our world. Leadership is a personal choice.
So what will you choose to do and to be today? More importantly, why?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
First, thanks for connecting to my twitter account, which I use to send out links to my essays as I publish them on my blog. Second, thanks for writing your essay about the concept of leadership being abused at the mantle of business. Clearly, leadership is not a business model. Back in the 1980s, when I first read in the academic business lit on leadership, I detected a proclivity toward “faddishness.” Leadership could be said to be a fad then.
That said, “leading oneself” needs to be fleshed out. To act in line with one’s values, for example, can be said to be integrity rather than leadership. Furthermore, to say that someone is a leader means that there are also followers. Lest a person is split into being both the leader and the follower, “leading oneself” may not make sense. I suspect that what you are getting at is authenticity–something the world sorely needs. The content of a leader’s message can indeed be authenticity, but that message would be preached to other persons (rather than to oneself).
In case you are interested, here is a link to an article I wrote on integrity in leadership: http://www.jstor.org/pss/25075087
I enjoyed reading your essay, particularly as you pointed to how the leadership concept has been manipulated by business practitioners (and business academics).
Would it be possible to use this articl e on Leadership – Overused, Abused and Blurred on VOICES OF WOMEN WORLDWIDE with its own production wing VOW-TV.
With over 500+ members (by invitation only) within a few months, mostly women and young girls from around the world in Australia, New Zealand, not to forget Fiji, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines, then onto China, Russia, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka up to the Middle East (Jordan, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc), Africa (South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria, etc.) entering the European Union (Poland, Macedonia, Latvia, Romania, Croatia, Lithuania, Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Italy, UK, Ireland moving into Scandinavia (Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden. Iceland) across North (USA & Canada) and South America (Latin American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Panama, etc) …to the Caribbean Islands, etc.
We are promoting “voiceless” women, young girls, children, boys and men- who truly believe in gender equality and empowerment. These are ordinary grassroots people doing extraordinary projects in their rural and urban global communities. VOWW gives “voices to those voiceless” to tell their stories via the Internet on WebTVs, audio/radio and global print media networking … ignored by mainstream global and international media worldwide …
There is so much interconnecting, interacting and networking happening on the website at http://voicesofwomenworldwide-vowwtv.ning.com and we could partner your work …
Check out VOW-TV on http://www.youtube.com womenvoicesworldwide Channel: VOICES OF WOMEN WORLDWIDE and GlobalDVFilms Channel: CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY !
For the New Year 2012 – we are promoting “leadership role models” to inspire young girls and women in career choices, etc., and achieving their highest potentials
We have assignments during the United Nations UN Women’s 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (27 February to 9 March 2012) and are planning VOWW’s 1st Global Womens Film Festival. More information is available on request.
Looking forward to a favorable reply,
Vinanti
Ms. Vinanti Sarkar Castellarin, Global Cultural Diversity Films (GCDF) Inc.