Leadership By Walking Around

Some people think that leadership is primarily about avoiding responsibility.

They perceive leaders as wanting to be seen when things are going well, but hard to find when things do not go according to plan. They see people in leadership positions who are only willing to come out of their offices to take credit for other people’s work.

The leaders who inspire me walk around. They know themselves well enough to share who they really are with the people around them.

Leaders require balance to walk around. They find their balance as they begin to walk, and maintain it to continue.

Balance can be a challenge. We feel pushed or pulled in competing directions. We can be thrown off balance, we can lose our balance.

Walking around often helps me find my balance. I am reminded that not all of life is focused on my computer screen. I am reminded that there are real people, with real fears, behind the questions I face.

I feel better when I walk around, when I am balanced. I relax. I breathe more deeply. I become open to the beauty around me again as my balance is restored. The knots I have tied myself into work themselves free as I walk around.

Walking around gives my mind time to sort through options and remember solutions, to let the pieces fit into place.

Walking around reminds me that, no matter how it feels at times, I am not doing a high wire act on a tight rope. I am putting one foot in front of the other, making my way forward.

Walking around is good for my body, good for my mind, good for my heart, good for my spirit.

When have you walked around today?

How often do you lead by walking around?

[Image by Graeme Maclean]