There have been many famous mountains throughout history. The stories that come from them have shaped the lives of millions of people around the world. Consider this short list: Horab, Carmel, Calvary, Vesuvius, Everest and Suribachi. All have important stories to tell. All have made a difference in the lives of those who were there, (some terrible, and some incredibly beautiful.) All had something so profound occur that people's lives changed permanently after being touched on "their mountain."
A MOUNTAIN OF DIFFERENCE Maybe those names are unfamiliar; or maybe they leap off the screen at you. Either way, we've all had significant moments in our lives that altered our journey. One of those changes pushed you into leadership. You've accepted, embraced, struggled, and excelled at being a leader. I have too.
THE ROAD IS HARD Talking about leading, and actually leading are two very different things. I'm often inspired when listening to or reading other leaders discuss leadership behaviors. It's much harder however to put that inspiration into practice. Some leaders have shared their mountaintop experiences in such a powerful way that their words live on in history. Others touch us in a way that no words are ever spoken, but the experience itself is so impactful that we are moved to do great things in our own life...in our leadership.
HOW ABOUT YOU Was there a defining moment that touched you in such a meaningful way that you had no choice but to step up? Who, or what, made the difference for you? Sometimes a few words are all that it takes. What was your mountaintop moment?
Monday morning. Inbox is full. Time is set aside to stay on top of several major projects. Two dozen meetings are waiting for me between now and Friday. I'm not complaining...in fact, I have the "fire in my belly" to have a great week. I have the fire.
So I'm starting my week thinking all about me. My email...my projects...my meetings. Could I get any more self-absorbed? Could I walk past my colleagues any faster to get to my desk and start on my work?
Maybe I should consider a different strategy for doing my "work." Maybe the first item on my to do list should say "be the leader you are." I'll be honest, my task list doesn't say that now. It has a whole bunch of really important items listed. But nowhere does it say....lead. Is leadership suddenly automatic for me now that I'm a [insert job title here]?
So today I am fired up. I am going to hammer through my task list, work on major projects, and hit all of those meetings. But first I'm going to focus on being a leader.
Where's your fire today? Mine was in my belly. Now it's turned outward...to share with those who are expecting me to step up and be a leader.
We've seen them in action. They're calm, cool and collected. Nothing seems to faze them when the problems come so quickly it's impossible to keep an accurate count. At some point we just want to step back and watch them. Amazing leadership, right?
NOT SO FAST
We've also seen when the chaos settles down and these same leaders struggle mightily. What is it about their skill set that makes them a force to be reckoned with during an emergency, and then renders them so ineffective once things return to normal? Hadley, Zhu and Pittinsky developed a specialized tool for measuring crisis leadership which raises several interesting issues.
1. Crisis Leadership Differs from General Leadership Leaders have less time in crisis situations to process information and make well-informed decisions. These leaders have skills that are perfect for action, quick decision-making in the heat of the moment, and always seem ready to jump into a crisis....in fact they often look for a crisis.
2. When the Action Stops, So Does the Decision-Making When things settle down, these leaders often fail. Why? Are they not hard-wired for a strategic mindset? Does the heavy load of maintaining relationships, leading others, working through the mundane, or not having the long view block their ability to lead comprehensively? Perhaps.
3. What Can We Do To Support These Leaders? If these action-oriented leaders do in fact struggle once the bullets stop flying, what can we do to help? Sending them through the one-size-fits-all leadership development class doesn't feel quite right. They need an individualized approach.
TIME TO ASSESS
Have you taken the time to clarify the leadership competencies for your organization? Have you conducted a gap analysis based on those competencies to determine where your leaders need support (not punishment!) If not, take the first step so you can better understand your organizational leadership priorities.
HOW ABOUT YOU
Do you have one of those leaders who struggles once the action stops? What are you doing about it? Is it time to "hold them accountable;" or, is there another option to help them learn and grow?
By accepting your leadership position, you've indicated you WANT to do this job. That's right. You signed up for this. You applied, interviewed, and understood the role (Please don't use the excuse you didn't know what you were getting yourself into. If that's true, it's your fault, not the company's.) You wanted this job, and now you have it.
No More Status Quo
There is a fallacy in the world of work that the status quo is still a viable option. If you believe in the status quo, it's time to call it a career. The status quo = death. At least your professional death. How many leaders over the years have inspired people to do great things with their "cling to the status quo visionary style?" Exactly zero, that's how many.
So you [read here -> WE] need to keep growing, learning, and doing. It is truly the only option. But how does one grow? Easier said than done, right?
Protection - Step 1
Growth means protection. Push yourself to make progress. You won't be a sitting duck, an easy target, or find yourself being outpaced by someone else. You will be in charge of you. That's big. But that protection only comes when you force yourself to get things done.
Exhilaration - Step 2
Growth means exhilaration. Explore the world around you. Reach out to your colleagues and ask questions. This is not a sign of weakness; in fact, it's quite the opposite. Only those strong enough on the inside, have the courage to ask for help on the outside (and gain the respect of those around them.) You will feel energized about your work, but you have to take the first step. No one is thinking about helping you...you need to make that happen.
The Work - Step 3
Growth is our work. The perception that somehow growing professionally is an obstruction to our regular duties is simply absurd. Working harder is not the solution for a challenging day, or week, or role. Having too many "irons in the fire" will not result in better performance. Growing professionally means you have successfully integrated this "grow" philosophy into howyou do your work. That is performance at a high level.
What Are You (We) Waiting For?
How much more impactful will you be this week when you decide to grow in your approach to leadership? Tap into the resources around you, take risks, succeed, and fail. Allow your staff to see you trying new things. You will build trust as a team, and guess what? You'll grow. Better yet, you won't die from trying. Let me know what you decide.
I am very fortunate. I live in a free society. I am reasonably healthy (*knocking on wood*). I work for a mission-driven organization that provides inpatient and outpatient services to critically ill children. My CEO "gets it" relative to HR and is very supportive. I am also in a leadership role that requires me to make decisions constantly. Some of those decisions are very difficult ones.
So does that make me some sort of genius? Am I now the repository of knowledge that others should seek out because obviously I must be special? How else could I have landed this job in the first place? Right?
Wrong.
I have been given the privilege to lead. It is not a right, it is not an entitlement, and it certainly does not mean I have nothing left to learn. In fact, as my career has moved along, it is more clear to me than ever before that I must constantly push myself to try new things, to jump (not step) out of my comfort zone, and go for it.
I do have a tremendous amount of responsibility and authority. But no, I am not a King. I am here to serve those that work hard every single day. I'm here to help create the best environment possible for them to do their amazing work.
Sometimes I lose sight of that...and for that I apologize.
How about you? Is it coronation day; or, are you ready to set a real example for those around you?
Some of us like the work we do very much. Some of us dislike the work we do. Some of us can not find work, much as we would like to. But for those of us that have work, good or bad, how can we keep that work meaningful, alive, exciting...fresh?
ENJOY THE VIEW
Do we view our work not only as an opportunity to be productive, but also as a gift? Do we view the interactions we have throughout the day as moments to share that gift with those we work with? What exactly is the view from where you are right now? Is it bleak? Or, do you see limitless possibilities on the horizon? Your perception of the view is important.
FIND ONE THING
Only you can define your work, even if you know you're in a transitional role. Decide to approach one small part of your work today as if it is an amazing gift that you need to share. I'll help...let's pick leadership. Your leadership. At some point today you need to act decisively on something important. No more analysis-paralysis, no more double-checking, no more stalling...no more excuses. Share your leadership gift and embrace the view.
HOW ABOUT YOU
We all can't be in a terrific job. For those of us that are, we feel blessed every day. For those that are doing other work it can be more challenging. So how can we keep our work meaningful, alive, exciting and fresh? Regardless of your situation, today is the day to take action in one specific area. Can you do it? Can you make a difference today? Go for it.
There have been many famous mountains throughout history. The stories that come from them have shaped the lives of millions of people around the world. Consider this short list: Horab, Carmel, Calvary, Vesuvius, Everest and Suribachi. All have important stories to tell. All have made a difference in the lives of those who were there, (some terrible, and some incredibly beautiful.) All had something so profound occur that people's lives changed permanently after being touched on "their mountain." 
