On Leadership

Last week I had the opportunity to listen to Colin Powell speak to a conference being held at Mandalay Bay. His topic was leadership; it was moving and perception-altering for many who had a true interest in what he said. One thing in particular stood out for me. We've all heard the adage about chains being only as strong as their weakest link and we've also heard that you cannot lead by what you say but by what you do. Those are true and always will be, in my humble judgement, but I took a special interest in how he focused on the rest of the equation, the rest of the team.

He said that true leadership is based on your followers; leadership is measured by the quality and dedication of your followers, your battalion, your team. A true leader will know they've done something right when his or her followers go along with plans or follow a path "out of sheer curiousity more than the mission itself;" it's a sign of trust that they are willing to start where they need to start and go where s/he does in order to ascertain what they need to do, together.

While teams are generally given an important focus in any situation, his monologue was inspiring and served as a good reminder that it takes all kinds to achieve success.

Where am I going with this? Hear me out...

Before I went to his lecture, I had already decided to end my self-imposed semi-retirement and look for a "day job." Not only am I bored, but I like working; I miss the team and the goal and accomplishment. During the past six months I have been fortunate enough to take time off, travel, and generally do things I find enjoyable and/or that couldn't be done when my attention was elsewhere full time.

Hearing General Powell speak sparked something in me, and made me take stock in what I am doing right and how I perform in certain situations.

Two of the hobbies/projects on which I spent my "off" time were my web-hosting company and an online gaming community for whom I am the Leader (yes, I am a grrrrlgeek). Both have been growing by leaps and bounds and both required me to pay special attention to how I was leading (and will lead) during further growth and expansion.

I don't like to micro-manage. I prefer to surround myself with people I can trust, folks who work hard and take as much pride in these endeavors as I do. We're a team, after all, and our goals, our tribulations, our triumphs and successes are all one and the same. By associating with, and relying upon, people with a common vision, we can use the strengths in one another to create a powerful presence.

Do not misunderstand, a common vision does not mean I want to work with people who always think like I think. Differences in our similarities are key to my teams; teams consisting of all the same ideas, experiences, and abilities do nothing to create necessary building blocks for change and growth. I've come to appreciate that each one of us contributes something special to the teams with whom we work and play.

I appreciate so much what he said, as I think what makes me a good leader is focusing on the group as consisting of special parts of a unified whole.

Knowing that I am part and parcel of something larger; knowing that I need to understand and cultivate trust, respect, and honor; knowing that I am but one person, I am thankful for a phenomenal team.

Knowing that I not only lead them, but they lead me.

I am what they make me....

... hopefully, seeing my background and my philosophy on things, desirable and employable.

*wink*