The Paradox of Leadership
The paradox of leadership. In general, there are two rules of leadership, and they are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Rule #1: Leadership is not about you!
Leadership goes horribly wrong when the leader is self-centered and when it is all about him or her.
We have all witnessed the leader who constantly makes it about them. Every meeting or every time he/she addresses their team/staff, there is a self-centered vibe.
Statements like:
"I have never been more embarrassed of our performance."
"I will get this fixed if its' the last thing I do."
"I will make sure that heads will roll if this doesn't get fixed."
Do you see the commonality in these statements? It is about the leader.
A leaders job is to develop and empower others. They are tasked with creating an environment that people feel valued, challenged, and inspired.
The focus is on others. The focus is on the people they lead.
Rule #2: Leadership is all about the you!
Leadership goes horribly wrong when the leader does not take extreme ownership of their program or organization.
When a leader becomes the victim, the program suffers. When the leader points fingers, the organization suffers.
A great leader knows that everything starts and stops with them.
They are honest in their assessment of the organization and own all of it.
They problem solve. They become resourceful. They find ways to get the right people on the bus, empower, develop, and inspire them.
If an organization or program is struggling, it is a leadership issue. Great leaders do not run from this fact.
If you make it all about you, failure is sure to follow.
If you don't make it all about you, failure is sure to follow.
In what ways has your leadership become about you?
In what ways have you not taken ownership in your leadership?
Click here to order my book The Leadership Greenhouse
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One of my weekly disciplines is scouring the internet for articles/tweets I can learn from and/or use with those I work with. Below are two that I hope help encourage and equip you.
Article 1- The power of thinking differently (Lets try this again!)
Article 2- 5 Powerful Ideas
Podcast: Dave Brandt (Pt. 2), Soccer Coach, Bucknell University. Elite leader.
Three Ways I Can Help:
1 on 1's - A powerful solution to combat the isolation and loneliness that often accompanies leadership. Leading with excellence can be an uphill battle, but you don't have to face it alone. My 1-on-1 coaching is designed to be your trusted thought partner, offering thought-provoking, perspective-enhancing questions that ignite fresh insights and clarity. Together, we will delve into the depths of your leadership role, helping you gain a profound understanding of yourself and your program. Our personalized approach ensures that each session is tailored to meet your specific needs and goals.
Here is a testimony from a 1 on 1 client: "Travis has helped me become a better leader. Travis has helped me organize my thoughts and has given me so much clarity on how to lead on a day to day basis. There is no doubt that he is the biggest asset to my leadership and has reenergized my coaching style." Jeff Duncan, Head Baseball Coach, Kent State
Training Day - During this transformative experience, I will guide you through the essential principles that lay the foundation for an elite environment in your program. Our approach is entirely interactive, ensuring an engaging and dynamic learning journey for all participants.
The Tribe - What are your pain points? What do you need to do to become a better leader? To create a better environment? Join a group of like-minded coaches who get together (via Zoom) every 2nd and 4th Monday to discuss and work through principles and frameworks to help you become a better leader.