Recently I was asked a question "How does my leadership empower others?"
The short answer is that I do not know. It is not something that I reflect on. However I do know how I have been influenced by other leaders and what type of leadership has made a lasting impact on me. It is through these examples where I have learnt about the type of leadership style that I aspire to have in my leadership journey. Here are some of the elements of leadership that I have experienced and have been empowered by.
NEVER GIVE UP:
The courage of a great leader to fulfill his vision comes from his passion, not his position [John Maxwell]
Walt Disney is more than just an entrepreneur, animator, writer and film producer. He is a visionary. He is someone who never gave up on his dream regardless of the countless setbacks that he faced. He was persistent in his pursuit to create family-friendly content through animation films. He kept going. In a similar light I think of my mother who was so determined to make sure that I did well in school. In college I was not exactly the brightest or most confident student, especially when it came to Math's. My mother was relentless in ensuring that I worked with a tutor, that I kept going over assessments that I failed and ensured that I did them again to get it right. At the time I was reluctant and frustrated with her persistence.
Now I get it. In my own journey with leadership I found myself doing exactly what my mother did with me 17 years ago. I am now the one who is wanting my students to not give up, to finish what they have started and to make the most out of the opportunity that they have in school. Why do I do this? Because I understand that the position that I am in is more than just my chosen vocation or a duty that I have been called to it. I believe that I am passionate about seeing other's do well, to do their best and I am more than happy to be an advocate for anyone who needs support.
BE AN EXAMPLE:
Example is leadership [Dr. Albert Schweitzer]
Alexander the Great was a leader who only faced oppression with the opposition but also within his own army. He was physically but also emotionally scarred by his experience and he shared this with his army. "Not a single part of my body is without injury; there is no weapon of any kind that I do not bear the scars from." He was showing his followers, his army the scars that he endured from war but even moreso he was showing his army that he was an example. He was not just driving his army but he was on the ground, with them. To work WITH and talk WITH your team, your students and your colleagues is vital in leadership. To be walk alongside your team, shows them that you understand and appreciate the work that they do.
IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU:
Life is not about you. It's about what you do for others. The faster you are able to get over yourself, the more you can do for the people who matter most [Tom Rath]
I often come across random texts in the most random places. My aunty graduated with her PHD last year and during her speech she quoted 'The Bridge' by Joy Cowley. In the most simple but effective way, Joy Cowley describes how acts of goodness and acts of service can be a gift in this life that we live. She writes:
When I become a bridge for another,
I bring upon myself a blessing, for I escape
from the small prison of self
and exist for a wider world,
breaking out to be a larger being
who can enter another’s pain
and rejoice in another’s triumph.
This is exactly what I think leadership is all about. This is what I think empowers others. Celebrating other's success, being there to help and support others, understanding other's perspectives - this is the type of leadership that not only empowers but uplifts others.
I think that I as continue to grow into the leadership roles that I have, I want to remain eager and hungry to learn. I want to continue to put the people I have with me at the forefront and remain focused on the goal, vision and outcome.
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