Leadership

The term “leadership” is all the rage on social media these days – and it is definitely on most entrepreneurs’ wish lists. Yet when I ask people what leadership means to them, I often hear some multifaceted variation that’s equivalent to dismissing the need for relationship. In this day and age I have actually heard, “People today should be thankful they have a job in this economy.” I can assure you, in no way, shape or form is this leadership.

In my experience, leadership is charting or changing the course to take a stand for unity. It’s so much more about finding leadership within that will get the work out and the consistent cash flow in. And fast. It is Mindfulness + Self Awareness + Social Awareness + Self Management.

Self-Awareness is showing up on time with empowering energy, and general concern for everyone’s time and experience while they are with you. Social Awareness is supporting your team, showing up focused and present, keeping your word and taking full responsibility for how you show up in the world. Self-Management is showing up prepared, projecting onward motion, without an unstable tone combined with tension demands. Even though most leaders are active, you don’t want to come off harsh, with a self-serving need to push your own agenda. The minute you become disengaged and start pointing at them, you resign from being a leader.

Leadership is not strength or force.  It is not based on “old school” thinking that smart is good enough and that great leaders are tough and can always muscle through – no one can sustain continuous strain. It is not survival of the fittest. Leadership does not manage from a place of control – team has to go along to get along and must stay in the box built. It is not from a place of personal position – sway whichever way, defer decisions or create fear based on authority.

Every great leader touches your head to make you think, touches your heart to make you feel and always gives you something to carry with you later, a walk-away message. The way I see leadership, here are some of the key tenets:

• Never dehumanizes, but fills up, guides, includes and creates
• Tend and befriend vs. command and control
  • Willing to live the examined life, a spiritual seeker
  • How we do what we do is just as important as what we do
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Power is used to bring wisdom and clarity for others
  • Not forced, common practice
  • In order to empower, you have to give up your power
  • Of the people, for the people while honoring them for their conviction

Leaders have an ability to get people behind one another and bring out the best in each of them. They identify their own weaknesses, and provide solutions to increase efficiency and productivity. Never “Here’s what’s wrong, now solve it or we’ll be having a different conversation.” They are very much “part of.” They have the ability to be the manager and make sure that tasks are getting completed, with an empowering leadership element in that. It usually is very difficult to be manager/leader at the same time, but true leaders can accomplish this at all times. They can verbalize the “hard” things to say, even when it hurts, because they are accurate and necessary for the growth and success of the company and the individuals in the company – even when they can’t see it. 

A leader is loyal and committed, with a reassuring way that permits people to let go of panic and trust in themselves to accomplish their goals.  A leader has the ability to help individuals sort through a tremendous amount of information and put them on a path of clarity and direction, with specific short-term steps that lead to long-term success.

You know you have great leadership when you have engaged employees who are innovative and empowered to get the job done while never being afraid to use their voice!

Molly L. Hall, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, and author of Don’t Be a Yes Chick: How to Stop Babysitting Your Boss, Transform Your Job and Work with a Dream Team Without Losing Your Sanity or Your Spirit in the Process.