Taking the scenic route on your leadership journey
Life is already fast enough – take away meals can be prepared in minutes; if you are really fast, you can run a 100 metres in under 10 seconds; projects can be fast tracked; and we now have a new space race for tourists.
For many, once we set a goal, our whole focus is getting there as fast as we can. Nothing gets in our way. Obstacles are ignored or overridden. Learn it quickly, parrot it back and you are done.
Have you heard of the quote, “Leadership is a journey not a destination”? This quote came from John Donahoe, Chairman of PayPal and President and CEO of Nike. The quote continues, “It is a marathon, not a sprint. It is a process, not an outcome.”
The scenic leadership route embraces the experiences along the way. Truly see and feel the ups and downs and welcome any challenge. It is those achievements, those failures and disappointments that provide growth, resilience and empathy. You will ask for help along the way and learn the value of collaboration and importance of gratitude.
If you only look at the journey as a means to an end, you will find little joy in the pursuit.
And more likely you will discover your journey’s end is not what you imagined or has not delivered that overwhelming joy that you expected.
Taking the scenic route on your leadership journey and sharing those experiences will enrich not just you, but your work culture.
A leader today needs to be more adaptive than ever before. They need to be able respond positively to change, to show up authentically and create a sustainable working culture that supports and appreciates every person. Finally, a great leader is inspirational, inspiring people to do things they never thought they could.
So, help others to start their leadership journey or maybe they could walk with you for a while.
This week find some time to reflect on your leadership journey and consider the following questions:
- Where are you headed?
- What is important to you?
- Are you going too fast?
- Are you walking alone?
- What have you discovered about yourself or others?
- What have you learnt so far?
- How can I help others?
