What people don’t seem to understand about leadership is it isn’t necessarily about being the smartest or even the most knowledgeable person in the room. It’s not about talking the loudest, or getting the best insult in or a slam dunk tweet.
It’s not even about being the person in charge. It’s multifaceted. It’s about the ability to connect and amplify those persons around you. It’s about caring and supporting the people who in turn support you. It’s about being present.
Leaders don’t use their strength to push people down or sweep them aside. They don’t minimize others. They use their strength and the strength of those who support them to lift others, to set goals, to create achievement. The best leaders are fair and just.
They acknowledge sacrifice, they acknowledge even small nuggets of bravery as they witness the growth of those around them and use their own strength to help those others grow. They do not believe that sacrifice is for naught; they do not take it lightly. They do not ask for levels of sacrifice that they would not be willing to commit to themselves.
They instruct when they need to but generally guide those under them to accomplish tasks at hand. They expect accountability for both themselves and their team members and look at mistakes as honest learning experiences when they are warranted.
They take an interest in the health and well being of the people under them. They are reasonable and supporting when their charges face adversity and are available to make a heavy lift when needed to make sure that support is where available when called for.
They are bridge builders, alliance makers and work to form channels and patterns of communication that enhance understanding and creating an environment of safety, where people around them are free to express their thoughts and above all else learn.
Originally publish at https://medium.com/@johnforflorida/quick-thoughts-on-leadership-e742c09fc843