Leadership: A Journey, Not a Destination!

What is leadership? It’s only a three word question, but it can be difficult to answer succinctly, and boy does it stir up a whole host of diverse, and very passionate responses whenever it’s posed!

Conversation often starts with the typical ‘Management v Leadership’ debate, and inevitably includes reference to a host of words or phrases that typify leadership: inspiration; motivation; trust; integrity; inclusion; collaboration; coaching; mentoring, the list goes on.

As part of an ongoing leadership development program, I recently spent some time with a senior leadership team defining ‘what leadership means’ to them and their organisation, and after much robust conversation, it was eventually agreed that a leader:

• Builds trust and communicates effectively;
• Continually improves;
• Builds talent;
• Achieves results.

Underpinning these four broad non-negotiables were a series of behaviours and measures, things like: demonstrating commitment to critique of own performance; setting stretching developmental tasks for their people; living the mission/vision, and inspiring others to do the same, among many others.

For those aspiring to become leaders, or equally, for current leaders who’ve had some honest self-reflection and decided they’re just not up to par, the question begs: how do you develop into the best leader you can be?

So many people approach leadership development like items on a checklist; ‘complete them one by one, tick them off, and I can call myself a leader’. The reality is, leadership just doesn’t work this way. Leadership is not an end-goal; it is not a destination that you ever actually ‘reach’. Leadership is a collection of moments; the everyday statements you make (or don’t make), actions you take (or don’t take), and the way you conduct yourself, both in front of your team members and in private. In short, being a true ‘leader’ is a life-long commitment; a way of life.

At the heart of leadership is ‘follow-ship’. In order to sell, a salesperson needs customers; in order to heal, a Doctor needs patients; etc. Well, in order to lead, a leader needs followers! It stands to reason then, that leadership is less about the leader, and more about the followers. Leadership guru, Simon Sinek, draws parallels between leaders and parents, and as someone who is new to both parenthood and leadership, I can’t help but agree with his simple assessment. Our goal as parents is to provide our children with opportunities, education – to discipline them when necessary – all so that they can grow up and achieve more than we could for ourselves. Great leaders want exactly the same thing for their people: to provide them with opportunities and education, to discipline them when necessary, to enable them to try, and make mistakes, and learn, all so that they can achieve more than we ever could. In essence, leadership is all about helping other people improve, every single day, so that they can become the best possible version of themselves.

So we’ve got some great buzz-words that describe what a leader should achieve; engage; enthuse; inspire; motivate; etc. and we know that it is less about ourselves, and more about the people around us, but what does it actually look like in action? How do you ‘do’ good leadership?

When a manager stands up to present on behalf of their department, does s/he attribute success to the individuals within their team, or do they instinctively seize this as an opportunity to self-promote? When a team member has a perception of their ability that doesn’t align with reality, does their manager place that conversation in the ‘too hard’ basket, or does s/he sit down and have a candid conversation about reality, motivated by the genuine desire to help the team member improve? When any individual acts in the best interests of those to the left of them, and those to the right of them, they are displaying leadership qualities, and should be encouraged.

Do you want to know the most exciting part about leadership? Leadership is a choice; a choice that each of us, regardless of position, status, level of education, socio-economic standing, gender, sexuality or personality type, can make each and every day, and no title can give or take away.

The next time you notice that one of your direct reports, colleagues, or even your manager is struggling with something, rather than view their current struggle as your latest problem, stop and ask yourself: ‘how can I help get the best out of this person today’?

In fact, don’t stop there, because leadership is so much bigger than the workplace! Take a look at your parent, partner, child, sibling, friend, and ask yourself ‘what can I do to help you be the best version of you that you can be’?

Do this, and you will be living the life of a leader!