Are
you READY to Lead?
For
those who have read my blog you will find I offer this challenge and encouragement:
Get
BETTER
Be
READY
Lead
OUT LOUD!
These
short phrases capture the intent and mission of Out Loud Strategies. So far, I
have written about Getting Better in The
Moment We Stop Improving piece. I have also encouraged you to Lead Out Loud
when I told you about my friend "L" and how she is sticking her neck out by
running for a local office. So why do we need to Be Ready? Ready for what?
In
his book, Summoned to Lead,
theologian and author Leonard Sweet describes the disastrous Antarctic
expedition led by Sir Ernest Shackleton that ended in victory. As their ship
arrived at their destination, it became trapped in the ice and was soon
broken apart by the pressures of an ice ridge. Such catastrophes have happened to
other expeditions but what made this one different is the Shackleton led the
members of his party to safety without a single casualty! If it was not for his
courage, will, and tremendous leadership ability, most if not all the party
would have perished.
The
point that Dr. Sweet makes is this. Whereas some leaders are born (with the
personality characteristics western societies values in its leaders), and many more
are made (through intention and experience), some leaders are summoned
to lead in a specific place and time for a critical purpose.
Joshua
Chamberlain who led the 20th Maine Regiment during the pivotal
Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War stated it best when he later said, “We know not the future
and cannot plan for it much, but we can determine and know the manner of person
we will be whenever and wherever the hour strikes.” That is why we need to be
ready as leaders. You never know what challenges you may face. Such challenges could be organizational, personal, or in your community. The best, and
often only thing you can do is to be as prepared as possible. For instance:
- What will be the values that you will refuse to compromise?
- How will you respond to stress (remember, calm is contagious!)?
- What resources will be at your disposal (knowledge, resilience, other people, etc.)?
As
always, if I can help you Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would love
to hear from you. Even better, tell me about a situation where you have been summoned to
lead and the outcome!
Yours
in Leadership,
Bill
Faulkner
Co-Founder
– Out Loud Strategies
Independent
Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team TM
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