Whenever I talk about leadership at an event, I usually get a several people that either email me or talk to me afterwards to tell me how great that it all sounds, but that they can't do those things.  For some reason, something won't let them.  It's usually either fear or a lack of confidence, which I address in previous episodes:

But sometimes its this thought or belief that we have to be perfect in order to be a leader.  I heard a really smart man one time say that:
Leadership is about Progress, not Perfection - Steven Furtick
That means to me, that you don't have to be perfect to be a leader, just willing to make progress.  No one is perfect, we all know that, but we all don't believe that.  With social media and the ability to filter and post what we want people to think about us, the realist view of most people is completely distorted.  If you want to lead others, and be a great leader, just make progress.  One step in front of another. Step, step, step... that's all it takes.  If you're moving in the right direction, people will follow you.  The problem is that many of us are afraid to move.  We're afraid that any attempt to move, could cause us to loose ground.  That may be true, but you can't lead if you don't move.

Onetime I asked my daughter, when she was 3 years old, what a leader was.  She said, "It's the person in the front of the line." I followed that question up with one asking her what do leaders do?  "They go where we're supposed to go."  she said.  That answer was profound for me at the time.  It told me that in order to lead, I must go somewhere.  I don't need to be there yet, just make progress towards it.  As I've said countless times on this podcast and in my blog, when developing into a leader, the destination is a mirage.  It's a place we'll always be traveling to, but never reach.

 


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