Leadership for the "new" normal

“Leaders are like the abominable snowman — the footprints are everywhere but it is nowhere to be found.”

Now more than ever before — regardless of what industry or profession you are in — leadership, true leadership, is drastically needed.

Let’s agree on one thing, the leadership we are discussing has absolutely nothing to do with title, income, position, or pin level. What I propose we discuss over the next few weeks is the leader that gets the job done! The leader who people follow out of a shared vision, purpose, and commitment versus obligation and compliance.

While this leader exists — he or she is rare. The good news is that you don’t have to be born with the ability to lead — it can be learned.

Regardless of the industry you are in, your goal must be to become a leader within that industry. Leadership is the only position that will guarantee your success.

With that in mind…let’s explore the first principle.

Leadership Principle #1: Leadership of others begins with the leadership of yourself.

While this may seem self-evident and common sense — it is not commonly practiced. You cannot give what you don’t have — you cannot give directions to destinations you have not traveled. Leadership is an “Inside/Out Approach” that begins with the journey to your very spirit and soul.

What are you going to stand for? What are your values, beliefs, and vision? What standards are you committed to holding?

True leaders know who they are and what they are about. They don’t expect others to have courage when they do not. They don’t direct others to do the things that they don’t do themselves.

Leaders hold themselves to higher standards than anyone else expects of them. And because of this…you can FEEL the power in their presence.

Think of famous leaders like Ghandi, JFK, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa. Whether you agree with these people or not, you would have to agree that their identity leaves nothing to question. All of their actions, words, and results are totally congruent (in alignment).