Reflections on the heart & soul of true leadership

No decisions are just bad decisions

There is nothing simpler than the status quo.? It is just more of the same mediocrity and the same old routines refined to an efficient perfection achieving the same mediocrity outstandingly.? Remember this as you gleefully look at that piece of paper priding yourself in ticking the proverbial boxes that all has been done and accounted for. The world changes as you stay the same in the comfort of not deciding.? No consequences for no decisions.? No accountability for no action.? Just waiting for your paycheck to be delivered to your bank account planning your next series of non-decisions to outlive your next pay date unscathed.

However, the reality of non-decisions is that they are in themselves decisions that inevitably are wrong because external circumstances are calling the shots.? ??As the world changes, you never stay the same.? You either mature or become old and irrelevant.? That is a choice.? The hard fact of the matter is that constant change means constant pain but constant pain builds increasing resilience to withstand further pain so that you can grow stronger and better. ?

Postponing decisions is not only a missed opportunity to grow but a step closer to your graveyard. Sure, some decisions may be painful.? They may involve a high risk of failure or can even carry a high personal cost.? But that is what leadership is about.? The courage to serve others and to take responsibility for decisions others are not making so that we can keep up with the pace of change and create a positive impact in the world.

Pain is the greatest fuel for leadership growth

We cannot forget however that leaders are not God-like creatures but simple human beings just like us common mortals. The pain of failure can be excruciating. ?Yet it is precisely at the lowest point where leadership qualities are formed and sharpened. The mind, body, and spirit are truly shaken. Taken for granted assumptions are questioned.? ??Sensations are heightened. Emotions are in override. Pride is ripped to shreds as their raw self is laid bare. The fall from the pedestal means becoming a servant.? But the servant is the best leader because leaders are there to serve others and not to be served.

Great leaders turn obstacles into opportunities

The rough seas of change can be tough and at times can put you under the water struggling for breath whilst keeping abeyance from the circulating sharks salivating for their pound of flesh.? As the world around them seems to be closing in, great leaders still sail through the storm stronger than ever sometimes even on the back of the very same sharks that were aiming for the kill. Through their ingenuity, honesty, authenticity, and increasing resilience, great leaders use those very same obstacles as the means to withstand the storm.? “What stands in the way, becomes the way”.?

Perfection can only be achieved tomorrow. But tomorrow becomes today and yesterday is lost forever. Act now!

Calculated imperfect decisive actions are always better than perfect intention but no action.? Perfection can only be achieved tomorrow.? However as tomorrow becomes today, perfection remains merely a well-meaning intent. In the meantime, yesterday is lost forever whilst circumstances around you keep changing and making decisions for you.? So leaders, take control of your decisions, act now; go through the rough seas with those imperfect decisions, and learn from them. Remember a string of subsequent imperfect actions building knowhow from one imperfect action to another brings you closer to the utopic perfection you had in mind. Build the strength and fortitude to withstand the sharks and use your resilience, honesty, and authenticity to sail through the storm to reach for the stars. ????????