Blog
Post #1: Warts and All
What makes an effective leader? The ability to embrace your warts! (Not literally…)
Luckily (or maybe unluckily, depending on how you look at it), there are many different ways to be an effective leader. There is not a recipe – just as there is not a recipe for being a masterful teacher, or a memorable public speaker. In the kitchen, when one is faced with needing to get dinner on the table, the lack of a recipe can be both liberating and frustrating. How am I ever going to figure out how to do this? The same is true for effective leadership.
It can be very easy to recognize poor, ineffectual leadership. Sadly, it is all around us! We see politicians, CEO’s, and even our own bosses make short-sighted decisions, alienate those who have the most to offer, or lack the ability to truly listen and hear the input of others. But simply avoiding these mistakes won’t necessarily guarantee that one is an effective leader. So – what to do?
My answer is very simple….start by being yourself. The more comfortable you are with who you truly are (warts and all!), the more comfortable others will be with you. They will trust you, hear you, and be inspired by you. Your leadership style will evolve naturally from your personality and values, and it will be authentic and genuine because you are simply being…you.
Luckily (or maybe unluckily, depending on how you look at it), there are many different ways to be an effective leader. There is not a recipe – just as there is not a recipe for being a masterful teacher, or a memorable public speaker. In the kitchen, when one is faced with needing to get dinner on the table, the lack of a recipe can be both liberating and frustrating. How am I ever going to figure out how to do this? The same is true for effective leadership.
It can be very easy to recognize poor, ineffectual leadership. Sadly, it is all around us! We see politicians, CEO’s, and even our own bosses make short-sighted decisions, alienate those who have the most to offer, or lack the ability to truly listen and hear the input of others. But simply avoiding these mistakes won’t necessarily guarantee that one is an effective leader. So – what to do?
My answer is very simple….start by being yourself. The more comfortable you are with who you truly are (warts and all!), the more comfortable others will be with you. They will trust you, hear you, and be inspired by you. Your leadership style will evolve naturally from your personality and values, and it will be authentic and genuine because you are simply being…you.