The Leadership Blog by Ann Vanino

Leadership comes in many styles. I was wondering recently whether a sense of calm is a necessary ingredient of effective leadership. Some leaders are high energy, hyper and kinetic. They can inspire and excite others. Other leaders are calm and clear. They draw others to them in a quiet way. In reflecting on this, I realized that effective leadership does not come from one particular style, but from centeredness in whatever the leader’s style is. There are many varieties of leadership styles, but one constant of effective leadership is the ability to be centered, comfortable in one’s skin and able to act fully from the present moment.

The experience of writing goes well beyond the act of writing alone. When you begin to write from your own creative urges, you step onto a special path. The path is one of creativity, self-discovery and discipline. If you have an urge to write, I encourage you to. A friend of mine, Beth Mende Conny, is a writer and has created The Write Directions Blog. Every Friday she offers a writing challenge. I recommend it. It’s a nice way to develop your writing journey.

Spring is a time of planting. What will you plant this spring to grow your leadership skills? How will you tend your seeds and blooms?