Brainstorming

Recently I attended a meeting at my organization that included a brainstorming session. The bait was a question that asked "what skills and abilities should a business graduate have to be successful in their field?" I am paraphrasing the question but it is accurate enough for this discussion. The interesting part of the discussion was that leadership skills did not come up until 15 or 20 minutes into the brainstorming session. Of course, it was the first thing that popped into my head. Right or wrong, we are taught how to manage in school, but not how to lead.

Leadership within an organization is not some grand sweep of action and emotion. It is a steady hand of communication and engagement. The calm before the storm, the bridge over troubled water, the sentinel at the gate of change and uncertainty. Leadership is the celebration of accomplishment, the whisper of gratitude for loyalty and dedication. Its the sponsor of our ideas and innovations and the beacon of opportunity.

We all have the ability to be competent leaders, but many of us aren't willing to sublimate our egos to the mission or the vision of the organization. If you have ever walked a busy street with a small child, hand in hand, ever vigilant of the traffic and crowds, lights and noise and interruptions; cautious and protective yet bold in your stride to protect the child at your own expense. That is leadership.