What is the Value of Leadership?

Hi blog family, I have taken a few months off…life got stressful with a few events, and I needed to refresh. Can anyone relate? After days of rain, I’m sitting on my deck with the warmth of the sunshine on my shoulders. But, I’m back and changing gears a bit. Over the last year, I’ve unsuspectedly learned that leadership coaching is deep in my wheelhouse…maybe even deeper than running. However, the reasons I see the value of leadership may not be what you think.

Before I start, I want to say thank you to my readers. Being a writer is a difficult road, and I’m so grateful to those who take the time to check in on my posts. I love comments and questions!  I also greatly appreciate those who share on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. It makes a huge difference.

The Ant Invasion

I don’t want to write something so ridiculous as “leadership is life,” but I’ve discovered that it’s way more woven throughout life than I originally surmised… like colored yarn weaving its way through a crocheted blanket. Let me tell you a story (this is my favorite part of a blog…)

While I make my bed every day and love my Dyson like a second child (Larry is the first child), I found myself smack dab in the middle of an ant invasion. The six-legged infantry launched a full-scale attack on my kitchen.

After an initial errant placement of the ant trap (in the opposite direction from their entry point thus causing them to traipse along the complete length of my counter), I, being more like Watson and less like Sherlock Holmes, tracked their gateway to the corner of the kitchen window sill. I relocated the ant trap to the closest spot on the counter thus decreasing the distance for their demise (genius).

The ant trap package said to leave the ants alone so they would carry the poison back to their den. (Larry was not affected by all the death as he never noticed the ants in the first place).

So, I waited.

The ants traversed a mostly diagonal path from the window sill to the counter like a country two-lane road. They lounged in the clear poisonous pools of the ant trap. Their pattern was entirely predictable.

Except for the rogue ants.

While the entire posse was falling for the bait, a few random ones could be found investigating the far side of the sink or exploring the window sill in the opposite direction.

Rogue ants.

Little courageous path-forgers whose refusal to follow the crowd saved their lives (until I squished them anyway).

Rogue ants.

Value of Leadership

I think we’re supposed to be the rogue ants; people who step out in our own ways regardless of what others are doing. And, that’s how leadership begins…by first seeking our truth and then walking it in a way that influences others.

Obviously, the value of leadership is seen in the workplace. That’s not a huge leap. There are rogue ants in companies all over the world. But, I would challenge that leadership is not only valuable but imperative in other areas of our lives. First, the way I “follow” has a lot to do with my own leadership. Second, how I treat myself has everything to do with personal leadership.

Let me throw out some bullets and see how they feel to you:

• How I respond to my boss is directly related to how I view myself as a leader. Am I a power leader? Do I submit without ever challenging? What level of respect do I display in my words or actions? (if this bullet point was an exam, I would fail).
• Personal growth is underscored by my leadership style. Am I teachable (one of the best questions ever)? Can I admit my mistakes? Am I open to feedback?
• People’s involvement in parenting links to their leadership style (I had to go third person on this one as I’m still awaiting my first foster care placement). Are they overbearing or too lax? Do they guide along the path or pave it for their children? How do they deal with mistakes?
• How I show up in relationships reflects my leadership style. Do I try to control situations or trust in my people? Am I someone who believes the best about people? Do I share responsibility well?
• Self-love and self-talk mirror our leadership style. Do I project equal parts accountability and mercy? Which screams loudest, encouragement or discipline? Can I accept amends and let myself (and others) off the hook?

The Truth About Leadership

I’m a leadership work in progress. The above list is fresh in my mind because I need to work on them and because I see the value of leadership. Believe me, I screw up every day. BUT, I win every day, too (is the glass half full or half empty?). It’s how we look at the mess ups and the successes that determines our path.

Be a rogue ant.

Peace and courage,

K.

Author of Ten Iron Principles, Contributor in The Power to Make a Difference