Leadership Inspires Us to Become Greater

I have worked with people who had a strong vision of where they wanted to go.

They lead by taking measurable steps to put their vision into practice. They wanted to work with people who could help make practical progress toward their vision of the future.

I had a good working relationship with them as long as I agreed with their vision. Difficulties would begin when I started to ask questions, or try new ideas, or have my own vision.

The leaders who inspire me connect on a level deeper than their vision. The leaders who inspire me have done the inner work to share their true selves with the people around them. They connect around the values that we share.

The leaders who inspire me do not see me as an extension of themselves.

I have worked with people who recognized that the core values we share support our ability to work together creatively.

Their leadership grew out of being open to possibilities. They wanted to work with people who shared their values and could contribute to a common vision of the future.

The leaders who inspire me bring out the best in me. They appreciate my work not only because it fits into their understanding of the world. They recognize that I am more than someone to implement their vision.

They may challenge me to make specific sacrifices. They may ask me to do things I have never done before. They may ask me to do things I think are impossible.

The leaders who inspire me know that the challenges we see as impossible are what holds us back.

They inspire us to become greater than we thought we could be.

Who is inspiring you to become greater today?

How do your core values give you an opportunity to try new approaches?

[Image by James Jordan]