Lessons of Leadership

The current US President Barack Obama has definitely changed the way many look at leadership. I don’t think I have ever heard of so many children and young people that know who the President is and even have thoughts of becoming the President one day. Lessons from Presidential leadership can be applied to your life, work and who you are. Presidents, certainly work under pressure, make hard decisions and develop relationships that impact the entire world.

Have you looked at your leadership? How do you problem solve? Build community? How do you lead and manage? What is your favorite part about leadership? How do you handle power? Who do you learn from to better your leadership?

I look at my leadership all the time. I believe there is a difference between leadership and management. I believe in power with as opposed to power over. What are your leadership traits and strengths? What do you believe in? Leadership is largely rooted in values and beliefs you live by. I believe in leading with heart and courage which I am thrilled is discussed in books like Resonant Leadership by Richard Boyatzis & Annie McKee and the Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes & Barry Posner.

Winston Churchill reminds us, “To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often.” I believe he was referring to the growth process. As change is constant in all lives, I think it is important to look at your leadership from time to time. Growing and evolving is apart of the human experience and as the process takes place, your values and beliefs need to be updated to stay aligned with your true self. The most difficult part is to let go and unlearn old ways that no longer serve us and others anymore. Staying relevant allows us to apply new ways to tackle challenges and decisions. It invites us to learn new things and allow growth to take place.

The image of leadership that our society amplifies is one of Presidency, one of visual, take charge leadership. It is a picture of a very masculine, one sized leadership that fits all. Everyone is a leader and leads in their own way. There are loud and quiet leaders, leaders who lead from the front and back. Which one are you? Discover for yourself the leader that you are and embrace it. Be sure to examine your leadership and challenge yourself to expand on your strengths and improve your weaknesses. As the well known philosopher Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”