My friend, Wendy LugoSantiago, recently posted a very powerful thought on Linkedin: “Don’t be afraid to be a beginner.” There are two concepts that I think are important here. The first is “powerful.” We usually regard effective leaders as powerful. We assume that they have, even own, power. Sure…. Power is the capacity to be effective. We believe that leaders have power. Well, maybe. Maybe not! Who really has power? Who has the capacity to be effective? Everyone! Especially followers! The only real power leaders have is the ability to inspire their followers to follow. That’s powerful!
The other concept is “beginner.” We often think that great leaders know everything. NOT! The truly great leaders know that they don’t know. They know that they don’t know what they don’t know. They know how to lead with a beginner’s mind. They’re willing to learn and to inspire those under their charge who DO know, to lead. As THEY lead, the leader becomes the follower, which is even more powerful. Yeah. It’s a paradox. But life is a paradox.
Here’s the bottom line. Actually, it’s the TOP line. (Another paradox.) If you aspire to be an Effective Leader, be a beginner. Develop and practice continuous learning. There’s no way in the world that you can know everything. Someone knows something that you don’t. We usually call them our followers. And if it’s something that will make you and your team more effective, learn from them, and step back and let them lead.
I titled this lesson based on another concept, “beginner’s luck.” If you’re already a leader, or you eventually become one, realize that there’s no such thing as luck when it comes to leading, especially others. It takes work. Sometimes, a LOT of work. But that’s what makes it fun. Especially when things work out. Thomas Jefferson said, "I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
You want to be a PowerPact Leader? Inspire your followers to empower themselves. Don’t fear being a beginner. And work on creating the luck you’ll need to succeed.
Until next time, be GREAT! You ARE!
¡HEIRPOWER!
Chief bob vásquez!
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