Dear Leaders,
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about how the motivation behind a person’s desire to lead shows up in their mindset, attitude, and interactions with others.
I’ve reflected on why I chose leadership, and I continually return to the same answer: to help others. And if I’m being honest, I’m not sure I chose leadership at all. Most days, I feel as though leadership chose me.
Most people do not realize just how much of an introvert I am. Nothing pleases me more than recharging my social battery with a good book and a nap on the couch. I prefer small groups over large crowds, and I would rather have dinner with a few good friends than attend a gathering filled with people.
As my friend Stephanie has said to me on more than one occasion, “You’re an introverted extrovert.”
The first time she said it, I thought, That is so accurate. Why haven’t I thought of that before?
My extroversion is fueled by my desire to help others. I love being a sounding board, helping people brainstorm and solve problems, and working collaboratively with a team to navigate complex challenges.
My days as a high school basketball player taught me a great deal about the game, but they taught me even more about leadership and what it truly requires: bearing responsibility, accepting criticism, sacrificing for your teammates and the good of the whole, and putting yourself last so others can succeed.
Even with all the difficulty and responsibility that come with leadership, I still find great joy in helping others. That is why I continue to choose to lead.
I’ve often heard educators talk about the importance of knowing your “why,” and I believe it is equally important for leaders. A leader’s why should be rooted in service: caring for others, investing in people, meeting their needs, and remaining willing and available to support them along their journeys.
Those who choose leadership primarily for a title, status, power, or the way they hope to be perceived will quickly discover that leadership and ego do not mix well.
There are countless hours of work behind the scenes and conscientious efforts that many people will never see. Sacrifices are made daily to support the success of the people being served and the organization as a whole. A desire to lead cannot remain pure unless it is grounded in service to others.
When leadership is truly about serving, apologizing after making a mistake becomes natural. Taking responsibility becomes necessary. Making things right matters more than protecting one’s image because the work was never supposed to be about the leader.
I want to challenge leaders everywhere to take a sincere, honest look at their why.
Most of us will find at least a few remnants of ego within ourselves. The work is to recognize them and refuse to allow them to drive our leadership. A desire to be perceived as important or powerful, or the belief that a title will somehow elevate our value, cannot be the foundation upon which we lead.
Whatever we believe leadership should be eventually shows up in our attitude, our mindset, our priorities, and the way we speak to and treat others.
The evidence of our intentions can be found in what we are willing or unwilling to do, what we deem important, and where we place our time, attention, and focus.
Leaders with the purest intentions are focused on two things: helping people and making things better.
Each day, I ask myself, What have I done today to help someone else or make our organization better?
Approaching my daily work with that mindset keeps me grounded, focused, and centered in the reasons I chose this journey.
Make it your business to become so deeply rooted in your leadership why that you are not distracted by setbacks, obstacles, recognition, or unexpected challenges. When you know your purpose, you can continue to operate in it without missing a beat.
Keep leading with heart, soul, and from the inside out!
Yours in Leadership,
Latoya