From commander to LEADER
What is the problem for which Leadership is the solution?
If it is that people aren’t doing what you want them to do, that is the problem of a commander. If it is that people aren’t doing what they want to do, then that is the problem of a leader.
Leaders are expert at identifying what are latent futures and shaping the environments that will allow those futures to emerge. They do this for themselves first. Sometimes those futures are so compelling that other people want to contribute and make a difference too.
Leaders frequently use narrative or story to evoke these emergent futures. This is where I like to help. Think of a story as kindling for the imagination; the creative spark that can be fanned to create a vision and a mission.
Leaders also understand that while their stories help others make sense of the journey, each of us will find a different meaning. Commanders don’t understand or accept this and operate through fear or force - ‘it’s my way or the highway’. Leaders understand and accept that this diversity adds to the story, rather than taking away from it.
It’s the difference between passion and obsession. Passion is exhilarating; obsession is exhausting. Passion is attractive; obsession is repulsive. Passion helps us transcend ourselves; obsession diminishes our experience. Passion is totally human; obsession is almost unfeeling.
If you’d like to tell a leadership story with passion, then:
