One tension of leading (in particular, leading change) is that you must be resilient and resolved enough to stand alone. And then you must be relational enough to be together.
Leaders take up the responsibility of providing clarity. They do not chase consensus. They know that clarity is up to them.
But then, they never go alone.
Lone wolfs rarely become pack leaders.
Change agents must get on the proverbial stage and provide clarity, risking all of the questions and criticism of clarity that always excludes. Then, they venture down into the rows and are with people.
You may get there before they do. Don’t get there without them.
Leadership is never a solo venture. It’s rarely about being first. Being right about everything doesn’t count for anything.
Isolation almost always precedes defeat. Before people become irrelevant, they usually become homogenous. If you see a leader being ignored, they usually first ignored someone else.
Healthy leaders refuse to be surrounded with people who always agree. They invite and promote diversity of thought, background, gender and race.
Define clarity. Be with people.
Be a pack leader, not a lone wolf.
Next week I’ll give you three warning signs you’re becoming a lone wolf and two ways to defeat lone-wolf syndrome. Subscribe today and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
Want better clarity on where you’re going and how you’ll get there? Text me. I’d love to connect.