Here’s a novel idea – leadership is joyful.
We spend a lot of time talking about the difficulty of being a good leaders, of the weight of responsibility, the vulnerability of putting your head above the parapit.
But if we keep emphasising the difficulties without showcasing the deep joys, we risk deterring valuable potential leaders from helping create great businesses and healthy societies.
And we risk deterring the less confident from taking up deeply fulfilling roles that will help them grow.
Leadership is a big headache!
But if it’s that awful why do we crave it?
Because it can be intensely satisfying and joyful. Here are four ways it does that:
1) LEADERS ARE CREATIVE ON A BIG CANVAS
Leaders have ideas and execute them. Leaders identify opportunities, potential futures and ways to progress. Good leaders welcome ideas from others and build together. Creativity is one of the most satisfying and exciting aspects of our life.
2) LEADERS EMPOWER OTHERS
We can think of leadership as self-serving, but taking up a leadership position enables you to empower others – your team, your family, your business, your community.
3) LEADERS INFLUENCE OUTCOMES ON A BIGGER STAGE
In short, leaders get stuff done. They can influence what happens and they can get the sense of achievement of getting the results they want. They have greater autonomy as well as authority.
4) LEADERS GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW MORE AND FASTER
There’s no doubt leadership is a challenge. It’s those challenges and the need for new and stronger skills, more and deeper knowledge that give leaders the chance to evolve as people.
I’ve been self-employed for most of my working life. Every day I continue to step outside my comfort zone – learning, growing, challenging myself and finding greater joy.
Leadership – I wholeheartedly recommend it!
