What Kind Of Leadership Do You Really Mean?

What kind of “Leadership” are we really talking about?

When you say, “we need more leaders” or “I wish you would lead better next time,” what is the kind of leadership that you are referring to?

We throw the term “Leadership” around so loosely these days and the term itself has gotten even more confusing in the divisive times that we live. What one person refers to as leadership, another calls a bully.

We all need to step back and redefine what compelling and influential leadership truly looks like. We need to better define and understand the type of leadership we would like to develop, strengthen, and perpetuate in the world.

In our teams and organizations, the most effective are able to clearly define the compelling attributes of leadership they desire with specific links to action and behavior. There is clarity around the type of leadership actions they want to permeate their culture and what behaviors they will not tolerate as “leadership.”

In all my years of asking this question to groups all around the world, “describe to me the most influential and effective leader you’ve observed in your life and career?” the responses have NEVER described the dictator “top down” style of leadership. With every group, they describe a leader who has flipped the traditional leadership pyramid upside down and sought how to serve. What kind of leadership do you really want?

How do you serve those around you? How do you serve a mission greater than yourself? How do you support others and put them in position to be successful? How do you mobilize people to accomplish great things, together?

Be careful…you might just be the type of leader people are looking for!

Good luck on the next leg of your journey.

Travel gracefully,
Jason

DSC_0097 - insideJason Barger is the globally celebrated author of Step Back from the Baggage Claim, ReMember, and the newly released book Thermostat Cultures, as well as a coveted keynote speaker and leadership consultant. More importantly, he’s striving to be an above average father, husband, and friend.

Follow on Twitter @JasonVBarger and learn more at JasonVBarger.com

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