Recently a friend referred me to an interesting web site: Get Storied. Get Storied is a publishing, educational, and consulting company focused on bringing a bigger notion of storytelling into business consciousness and popular culture. On the site, Michael Margolis invites you to find your bigger story. He addresses stories in branding, culture, innovation and social change. What is the story of your leadership in the world?
Someone once said to me that power lies in the tension between light and dark. What does that mean? I think of a caterpillar in a cocoon just before it metamorphoses into a butterfly. There is both death and rebirth. There is pain and new creation. The tension created releases the old, as it brings new life.
I think we are in a time now where the tension of old and new, of fear and hope is creating a strong wind that is affecting us all. There is polarity, failing societal structures, new ideas, clinging to old ways, frustration with obstacles to change and uncertainty of what is to come. Put all of it in the mix and this wind sets us off balance.
What can you do to stay upright in this wind? Accept that change is occurring and do not cling to the past. Stay grounded. Keep your center and your perspective. Look at yourself as a wind sculpture. Use this wind to your advantage. As a leader, help others stay upright, too. See the beauty in this strong wind and how you can use it to create the life you want to live.
I recently was interviewed by Duncan Brodie on the leadership lessons in my book Leadership on Trial: Lessons from the Apprentice. I enjoyed the interview, both for the opportunity to get the word out about my book and because I learned during it. Duncan asked me what I thought leaders struggled with. That is a novel question. We discussed the loneliness of being on top and the need for a circle of support as you lead. We spoke about the power of observation in developing your leadership skills. You can listen to the interview by clicking here.
Check out the work Duncan is doing in the United Kingdom at his website. His company helps individuals, teams and organizations to develop the skills, knowledge and personal attributes to prosper as managers and leaders. On his site, he provides case studies of his leadership work and free resources including eCourses and eBooks.
Yesterday I attended a Board meeting of an organization. In the course of the meeting, I witnessed an example of leadership. The meeting was called to discuss whether to go forward with a project that some Board members were concerned would not succeed. It became evident to me that before the meeting there had been some serious concern expressed to our Chair. He called the meeting so the Board could make a determination on the future of the project. By doing so, we were on the spot to engage and take responsibility. An objective presentation was made of the pros and cons. One issue was that there were not enough people helping with the project. We were told that if we voted to go forward with the project we were agreeing to take a Vice Chair position, overseeing a committee. The result of the meeting was that we will go forward with the project and all Board members will be involved. I think the key ingredients in the successful outcome were objectively laying the situation out in front of the Board, asking for our ownership of the project as Board members and the courage to hear everyone out. Those ingredients led to our buy in and cooperation.
I am reading a book titled Hope Matters
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