Leading From The Inside-Out
In the earliest days of this weekly newsletter, which I started almost exactly one year ago, I wrote about leadership being an inside-out process. I said that we first must work on ourselves, particularly our character, before we can ever expect to lead other people.
This essential inside-out work can lead us to enhanced self-awareness. Only with that self-awareness can we embark upon our own successful leadership journeys.
I was reminded of that lesson again this week when I commenced reading an inspiring book called “Take Your Soul to Work.” It is written by Dr. Erica Brown, who teaches at the George Washington University Graduate School of Education here in Washington DC. Erica has written several books and has lectured on different aspects of leadership across the country.
This particular book consists of 365 meditations, one for each day of the year addressing every-day leadership. I want to share with you a portion of her introduction because I found it inspiring and I hope you will as well.
“How do you know if you are leading from the inside out, from the depths of your soul and your humanity? You’ll know in your work when you can…
Listen with your eyes as well as your ears
Stretch yourself and others
Forgive with a full heart
Be fully present for yourself and others
Cultivate quiet
Practice simplicity
Walk with tenderness and curiosity
Respect others
Attune your senses to the world around you
Remember the good
Pay careful attention
Make gratitude a daily habit
Find holiness in shared laughter
Feel purpose in collaborative work
Work to bring more justice to the world
Acknowledge that there are forces far greater than yourself that operate within you
Give voice to the needs of those who do not think or act like you
Use language at work that elevates conversations
Have the trust of others
Smile at strangers
Actively create time to rest and time to reflect
Know to whom you really answer in life
Value self-improvement as a daily and welcome challenge
Reflect on both your current state of being and the opportunity of becoming”
After presenting this inspiring list, Erica poses the question of how leaders get there. She believes leaders need personal discipline to bring greater depth and humanity to their leadership as well as reminders and a plan.
Do you have a plan about ways to strengthen your leadership and embrace the qualities included in this wonderful list?
If not, I encourage you to start reflecting and taking specific steps toward embracing your best leadership potential.
Always remember that leadership starts with ourselves and our character – and only then our competence.