Leadership Balances Remembering & Letting Go

Leaders help us remember, and they help us let go.

Remembering

The leaders who inspire me remind me who I can become. They remember who I am and what I have already done. Leaders retell our story, incorporating what we need each time. They do not let us forget the time we worked together, with no resources and no extra time, to exceed the expectations of others.

Leaders point out the ways in which we can become better than we already are. They reinforce the lessons of the journey so far, and help us recognize that we can reach farther.

Leaders help us recall the experiences in which our communities were built, which brought out our best selves. Leaders show us that the foundation, the cornerstones, of our journeys are still there supporting us.

Letting Go

Leaders have also inspired me by helping me let go.

Leaders help us appreciate the challenges we face, and assure us that we do not need to carry our foundation stones with us. They remind us that our journey so far has prepared us for what is next. Leaders help us continue to move ahead.

Balancing

I have worked with people and organizations that remembered very well, but could not let go. I have also worked with groups and individuals that were very adept at embracing the future, but did not remember well. The key to effective leadership is finding the balance.

Leaders learn from the past and anticipate the future by acting in the present. We take lessons from our story so far, and help to write the next part of the story well.

Where do you find your balance of remembering and letting go?

How will your leadership help the people around you remember and let go this week?

[Image by Matthias Rhomberg]