Leader Development
LifeworkI sit here today asking myself why? Why am I attempting to wrestle this monster to the ground – again?! Why again, after numerous attempts of my own, do I want to further refine my definition of leadership? Why again, after hundreds of beautiful attempts by people far more learned (or maybe obsessed) than me do I try to define the undefinable? The answer that pops first into my head is to keep up with my commitment to this god-forsaken blog, certainly a response containing more than a modicum of truth, for I find writing to be such a chore. So why? Why write this blog in the first place? Why expend the energy? Beyond my self admission that writing is hard, even painful for me, I guess the true answer lies within my intellectual curiosity about leadership, specifically self leadership. Something about it “lights me up”. Ah! Here’s what it is, here’s why! Understanding leadership and helping others practice self leadership is important to me because it’s directly connected to my sense of purpose – my calling. I do this blog and I do this work because I have a strong inner desire to help others attain and sustain personal and professional vitality – to get the most out of life and work – to be happy and fulfilled. I have found an unmistakeable connection between the knowledge surrounding the practice of leadership and my ability to successfully go about my life’s work.
So, for what it is worth, the following represents my next attempt to define leadership and self leadership in a single sentence. Leadership is a relational process through which purposeful and ethical engagement of personal energy and influence results in desirable change that benefits self and others. I know. I’m really sorry. What a mouthful! Like other attempts to define the indefinable it gets really messy. In subsequent blogs I will do my best to unpack this definition.