MM13: The Many Facets of Leadership: Reflections and Insights

As we close out another year and embrace Election Day, it seems fitting to delve into the ever-evolving topic of leadership. Leadership is multifaceted; it's much more than a position or title. In this post, we will explore different perspectives on what makes true leaders, examine frameworks like direction, alignment, and commitment, and offer insights on how you can embody leadership in your everyday life.

Defining Leadership

Leadership is a term often used, but its definition can vary dramatically depending on who you ask. For many, leadership is associated with roles and titles—those holding positions of power in organizations or government. However, this traditional perspective has been questioned time and again. The late Joyce Meyer aptly put it: "Everybody's a leader. Even if you're just leading your dog, everybody's a leader, and everybody's a follower."

So, what does it mean to be a leader? Is it about traits, behaviors, or learned abilities? Stephen Covey's definition of leadership is often quoted, but it's essential to dig deeper into the essence of leadership beyond catchy definitions.

A Framework for Understanding Leadership

About a decade ago, I learned about a framework from the Center for Creative Leadership, primarily through Cindy McCauley's work. This framework, encapsulating direction, alignment, and commitment, offers a lens to understand leadership not merely as a role but as a set of outcomes.

• Direction

  : Knowing where you are going

• Alignment

  : Coordinating efforts so everyone knows what they should be doing

• Commitment

  : Dedication to the collective goals, rather than individual ones

If these elements are present, you're experiencing true leadership. Unfortunately, looking at our current national landscape, it’s clear that we’ve been lacking these leadership outputs for quite some time.

Power Over vs. Power With

A considerable challenge we face today is the prevalent notion of "power over" versus "power with." Power over is characterized by control, dictation, and demeaning others to assert authority. In contrast, power with fosters collaboration, influence, and shared commitment. This problem isn't confined to a specific person or political party; it's a widespread issue affecting various sectors, including politics and religion.

The concept of strength in leadership is often misconstrued to mean having dominion over others. However, true strength lies in self-awareness, self-control, and the ability to empower others. As Warren Bennis, a renowned leadership scholar, emphasized, self-reflection and awareness are critical components of effective leadership.

Core Values in Leadership

Brene Brown suggests that effective leaders have a few core values that guide their actions. For me, these values are deeply rooted in my faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Reflecting on the humility and servant leadership of Jesus offers a powerful model: did He exhibit power over or power with? The answer is unequivocally the latter.

Leaders who embody such qualities are rare but invaluable. While human fallibility will always be a factor, striving towards these ideals can create profound positive impacts.

Voting and Leadership

As you cast your vote today, remember that you are exercising a form of leadership. Your choices contribute to shaping our collective future. Regardless of the election outcome, it is crucial to practice empathy towards those on the opposite side. Divisiveness and conflict won’t lead us forward; understanding and collaboration will.

If your preferred candidate wins, celebrate with grace and compassion. If not, resist the urge to claim foul play or withdraw from civic engagement. Instead, continue to participate, influence, and lead by example.

Conclusion: Leading with Compassion

As we move through these turbulent times, let's strive to lead with compassion and power with, not power over. Each of us has the potential to be a leader in our communities, workplaces, and homes. Let's seek to enfranchise, rather than disenfranchise, those around us.

As we close this year, I wish you all a joyful holiday season. Embrace the tensions and paradoxes of life, for they offer opportunities for growth and reflection. Thank you for joining me on this journey through the nuances of leadership. Until next year, lead with kindness and intention.