How Would You Define Leadership?
Is it leading with respect and responsibility? Is it empathy, humility, transparency and mastery? What about leading with courage, accountability, motivation and influence? You could grab hold of any, a combination of these traits or all of them and you would not be wrong. It’s not a right or wrong question either, but my belief over the decades of being led and leading is they’re incomplete. Leadership defined is a process of intentional influence resulting with a favorable impact in the context of a relationship.
An Elegant Leader, one who leads with Voltage, demonstrates a number of characteristics listed above to intentionally influence people one-at-a-time in order to move a division, a company, a family or a global organization forward. The key word in this definition is intentional.
What comes to mind when you see the word intentional?
A parent encourages and implores their children with the intent to live a life of abundance, of confidence, humility, generosity and gratitude. Just as a parent guides their children, the leader appeals to the people they lead to grow and develop into the potential he or she sees in them. The words reinforce what the behaviors teach everyone, imparting their wisdom so we may be the best version of ourselves personally and professionally. There is no hidden agenda in this manner of Leadership. It’s Elegant – simple, powerful and practical – it’s graceful. The purpose is clear and authentic. Think about the circle of influence entrusted to you – your work, your family, your community.
What is your over-riding purpose guiding your influence in each of those areas?
What makes your influence intentional?
In leading intentionally, there’s one critical point many people miss entirely. Leadership is not a singular implementation of a common set of values and beliefs that moves an organization forward. Elegant Leaders with Voltage understand leading and leadership is a shared process and there is a constant emphasis on the leadership team. Additionally, there’s a second key point often overlooked; simply stated it’s the word “among.” Among to the Elegant Leader means in the midst or surrounded by those they’re leading. Elegant Leaders lead through what we describe as a “low power-distance.” They do not allow their position or title to create a barrier between them and their employees, their people, or their followers. Authorities lead by rank and title establishing a ceiling – a barrier between them and everyone else.
“When we toss a baseball-size rock into a lake, what happens?”