“Leadership is a relationship between those who aspire to lead and those who choose to follow. There may have been a time when leaders could command commitment, but those times are long past.” (Kouzes and Posner)
Terry Porter and Ken Riley at Lake Ann Camp (1995)
Leadership today (in the home, the community, or an organization) requires leaders to be personal and connected to those they lead.
What does it mean to connect?
Connection is the ability to establish an emotional attachment to another person. (Cloud)
During the summer of 1996, one of my first mentors, Bill Newman, shared that I need to be myself to be a leader others want to follow. Today, I know what that means; but I didn’t know who Terry Porter was back then. I was a poser and I was a people pleaser.
Therefore, for leaders to connect, they must have a firm understanding of WHO they are and then share their lives with those they lead.
Skills to Learn to Connect
Define Yourself – before you can genuinely share your life with others, you need to know who you are. Defining YOU might not be easy, but start by defining what you like and don’t like in life.
Connect With Your Team – in an earlier post, I shared about having a tech team and life team, connect with them regularly and share life with them.
Take a Risk – the people you lead want to know the real you, what you like and dislike, your interest, and your pet peeves. Tactfully share the personal side of your life with those you lead, your hobbies, activities, your weaknesses (again, tactfully), and your joys.
NOTES:
James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (2006). A Leader’s Legacy. Jossey-Bass Publishing.
Cloud, Dr. Henry (2009). Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps To A Happier, Healthier You. Zondervan Publishing.
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21 Blog Post in 21 Days
Day 7, December 12, 2021
