Leadership Lessons Learned

A ship is in the simplest form a vessel larger than a boat for transporting people or goods.  In reality though a ship is also much more complex and takes a team working both together and separately to ensure it operates correctly.  Team members have specific functions or tasks perhaps, but a common goal or mission is usually the primary bond.  Getting to the destination and transporting everyone and everything along for the ride safely, timely and with great care is perhaps job number one.  It takes not just a singular leader, it takes leadership, and all the people, pieces, and even persnicketies that comprise leadership to pull it off.

Often when introducing myself in meetings where role or descriptive was required, I would state that I was the CEO because “someone had to be to fulfil structure or fiduciary responsibilities” or that “the O should really stand for observer because my primary role was to look, listen, and learn what others might need for assistance (including at times simply getting out of the way)”.  The intro wasn’t accompanied by a smirk or said for simply self-deprecating purposes, it was what I truly believed and what the true leadership team of all levels and roles relegated my necessary contributions to be.  We were operating a ship and I was simply one of many assisting in the journey and appropriately positioned much like the “I” falls late in the word and in the midst of many other letters.

Those who try to insert an “I” into Leader, must be aware that many things tend to follow that superimposed “I”, such as characteristics of Importance, Interrupting, Intimidating, Irritating, Inefficiency, or Irrationality rearing their head.

Those who realize better to have Leadership than a Leader, hopefully can emphasize the L that Leadership starts with and incorporate the “I” in the correct spot towards the end and use that viewpoint to Look, to Listen, to Learn, to help others set Limits, to Let things be at times, to help others to Leap in, and to ultimately help others find their Like and/or ultimately Love of the mission and/or journey and their great contributions towards it.

The teams, departments, companies, or missions that I have seen be successful all embodied, embraced, and emboldened this concept of Leadership over Leader.  It was such an honor and privilege to look, to listen, and to learn.  Hopefully getting out of the way fast enough and more often than not to let the great people do the great things they did.

The ultimate Leadership team that took the reins from my parents, siblings, teachers, and mentors and shows me more day in and day out recently expanded from a team of four remarkable women to adding a fifth young lady to the mix.  As the WNBA rightfully takes more of the stage now and hopefully into the future, I look forward to observing this powerful female team of five and long for continuing to look, listen, learn, and love them.

Here’s to your safe and enjoyable Leadership journey everyone.  Thanks for leading. #leadership #mission #itmatters #mentorship