Leadership is Just One Thing

About a week ago, I offered my perspective on the differences between Leadership and Management. You can read this post here. I don’t often write about leadership, but I have been thinking about how I would articulate leadership.

When we say someone is a great leader, we often are saying he or she is a great leader, manager, and coach. When I peel away the management and coaching elements, I see what is pure leadership.

Leadership is just one thing.

Leadership is like the horseradish in the sauce I make for raw oysters.
It’s like the wasabi in my sushi.
It’s the lime leaves in my Panang curry.
It’s the Bombay in my martini.

It’s something special that makes a big difference. So what’s the one thing?

When we demonstrate leadership, we exude a proactive thrust. It’s about taking the initiative to makes things better.

The one thing is proactivity.

That’s not precisely it. There’s also a tinge of charisma (even introverted charisma) to the proactivity of great leadership.

So the one thing is proactivity with a tinge of charisma.

That’s still not quite right. Great leadership feels compelling - we are moved in some away.

So the one thing is proactivity with a tinge of charisma that feels compelling.

It’s getting there, but something is still missing. When we lead we are serving others. There’s an altruistic and service oriented purpose behind leadership.

So the one thing is proactivity with a tinge of charisma that feels compelling and is at the service of others.

This is starting to feel right but there’s a bit more in there. A demonstration of leadership is also an acknowledgment of ownership and accountability. When we are leaders, we are owners of outcomes.

So the one thing is proactivity with a tinge of charisma that feels compelling, is at the service of others, and that demonstrates ownership of results.

Real close now, but still missing something. Leadership answers just the right call. When we lead, we understand what’s needed and what will make the greatest difference.

So the one thing is proactivity with a tinge of charisma that feels compelling, is at the service of others, demonstrates ownership of results, and is targeted to provide the greatest benefit.

I think that’s it, but there is just one more thing missing. Those who follow us willingly determine when we are demonstrating leadership. Our best efforts will be in vain if we have not established trusting and positive relationships. We can be leaders when we have earned people’s trust.

So the one thing is proactivity with a tinge of charisma that feels compelling, is at the service of others, demonstrates ownership of results, targeted to provide the greatest benefit, and that is delivered by someone we trust.

This really is just one thing. Like a nine-layer dip - it’s complex, but just one flavor. Like a fine wine, there’s a lot going on, but one overwhelming impression.

Leadership is the special energy we put to our work that makes a powerful difference. Leadership can be applied to every aspect of work. Many people who fail to demonstrate leadership don’t have their hearts in it. Leadership requires much more than being smart and in charge.

Anyone can lead if they do just this one thing.

Comments

[Terry Storch]

Great post. This is one of the best definitions of leadership that I have ever read. You might want to write about it more often!

[Lisa Haneberg]

Terry - thanks so much for your feedback and kind words.

[Rosa Say]

Lisa, this is an outstanding post, for it speaks (you speak) of all things positive, and the aloha of good intent that must be part of both great management and great leadership. I love that you started with proactivity, and that service to others has been woven into this so well.

Kulia i ka nu'u: you strive for excellence, and in doing so you lead us all.
Rosa

[Lisa Haneberg]

Rosa - The aloha of good intent, I love that. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Jory Des Jardins]

I got to the bottom of this post, saw the graphic, and thought, Man--that's hard to do! But at the same time it's very simple. I believe that we all have the ability to lead, what's been missing from people's lives is finding the right cause to lead.

I agree with Terry--you SHOULD write about this more often.

[Lisa Haneberg]

Jory - Finding the right cause....how right you are! To compell others, leaders must be moved and compelled. So it's critical that the meaning the company is making is clear and beneficial.

Thanks for the perspective!

[Sanjay Vasudeva]

Beautiful perspective on leadership. A refresher- lot of these things, we have been doing as leaders and managers, without actually defining it for self.

Thanks

Sanjay

[Jim]

Leadership is like beauty. You know it when you see it, but it is difficult to define.

[Yomi Lawrence Ajayi]

I will like to receive leadership write ups from time to time. Its something I really cherish.

[B.K.Divakar]

I would like to recieve write ups/articles/presentation from time to time about leadership/management

[Lisa Haneberg]

BK - Subscribing to this feed will do the trick! Also, you can subscribe to this blog via email. Just put your email into the box in the place on the top right portion of this blog.

[Len]

I'd go along with that. Leadership involves a LOT of service. We follow a lead because it helps us achieve something we want. We don't follow for the benefit of the leader; rather, we follow because he / she appears to be taking us to where we want to go. All action is self-interested. And following is right up there with the rest! This is what a good corporate team building program will not be all about ME ie, the program facilitator. Rather the best of these programs is about US, the people who take part and will go back to our company at the end of the weekend away and address the issues we left behind on Friday. Right? Everything is the corporate world works best when SERVICE is the main focus. Corporate Leadership included. I think.