Leadership is Not Something We Accomplish

Leadership is not the same as running a race or climbing a mountain. We do not cross the leadership finish line, or reach the leadership summit.

There have been times when I thought if I checked off all the boxes I could become a leader. I thought I needed to finish school, to get enough experience, to win enough votes.

When I had succeeded at quite a few assignments I realized that is not how leadership works.

Leadership is not about controlling people. It is about helping them be free.

We do not achieve leadership. We cannot teach someone else to become a leader by following in our footsteps. Becoming a leader means finding and following our own paths.

We do not accomplish leadership. We do not reach a special place where we are recognized as leaders. We cannot become leaders by reading, or writing, certain books or passing exams.

Leadership is not about arriving.

Every day, every step, of leadership is about exploring. We explore ourselves, we explore other people, we explore the world together.

As we explore, we discover. We discover our true selves, hidden behind complicated defenses. As we explore our inner depths, we share what we find with the people around us. The exploration and discoveries we share inspire other people to explore.

The spark of leadership spreads one person at a time.

Leadership is more like a story than climbing a mountain or running a race. Our story grows deeper as we explore and we share it with others. They hear our story, their stories grow, and they share.

Leadership is not something we accomplish. It is something we share.

Who has shared their leadership with you?

How will you share your leadership this week?

Whose leadership will you spark today?

[Image by byJoeLodge]