Thirty years ago, when I accepted my first leadership role, I knew virtually nothing about leadership.
Perhaps your story is similar. Maybe you were handed a leadership position out of the blue – maybe you didn’t even want it. Suddenly, there you were – standing there. Everyone looking to you for direction, and you were still trying to figure out what just happened. Or maybe your journey was more traditional – you worked hard. Studied hard.
A mentor patiently guided you. You first learned to follow. Then to lead with passion, vision, and conviction. Whatever your path, there is one thing that every leader knows without a doubt – leadership is an adventure.
Unprepared
When I was a young leader, the adventure often caught me off guard. I remember being derailed by an organizational structure that wasn’t ready for new vision and the change that the vision would require. I know how it feels when a top executive folds under pressure from those who are content with the status quo. I’ve experienced the pain of sacrificing everything to see an organization grow only to be attacked by colleagues. Maybe you have too.
Alive!
Now I embrace moments like these. I look for opportunities to walk directly into them. To speak up with confidence, conviction, and grace. Let’s face it – most people are not interested in following someone who is playing it safe.
It’s far too easy to simply ask, What does the world need? Organizations everywhere are doing that. That’s not going to cut it any more. In fact, it’s not even the right question.
John Eldredge suggests that instead of asking, What does the world need? You should be asking, What makes me come alive? Because what the world needs is people who have come alive to lead with passion and freedom.
Mystery
The soul of a leader was never intended for controlling or being controlled – it was unquestionably made for adventure! Here’s the cool part – life is full of mystery! Mystery makes life rich and joyful. It quenches your soul’s thirst for adventure.
So I’m learning to crave the uncontrollable. To embrace mystery rather than reacting to it or shrinking from it.
Tough
Our daughter, Madison, has been playing recreational soccer in local clubs for several years. She recently expressed an interest in joining a higher level team where she would be challenged more. After watching her play in a recent tournament, two coaches approached us about the possibility of her joining their academy teams.
Last night was her first practice with one of the teams. I watched from a distance as Madison worked out with the team. I noticed that many of the drills Madison had never done before. On the way home I asked her – What did you think? “It was tough!” she said. “I don’t know if I can do some of the drills.”
The truth is, to get the next level, Madison will have to embrace the awkwardness of stumbling through practice. To have fun with it. To repeat the drills over and over again.
More
You know this is true…
The adventures that we decide to embark on will not make sense to most people because the outcome is unknown. But if the outcome is known, it’s not an adventure – it’s an errand. And you were created for far more than running errands. – Jon Acuff in Start
Yes! You were made for far more! So grow more. Practice more. Dare more. Envision more. Serve more. Love more. Dream more. Teach more. Give more. Risk more. Care more. Coach more. You were made for all this and more!
Embrace the adventure that is leading.
Question: Does the mystery of leading foster feelings of adventure or anxiety within you? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Not true, the majority want the easy life, my old editor waited quite a while before acting on a complaint, by then the problem had been resolved, lol, good leadership I say!
I appreciate your perspective. I could have developed this further – it’s difficult to do so in a short post.
This may help – Adventure literally means taking on unknown risk – as opposed to “playing it safe”. If a leader is leading change they are leading people at unknown risk. If one is “playing it safe” (rather than taking on unknown risk) there is no leadership.
This does not mean that a leader should throw caution, judgement, and planning to the wind while solely embracing bravado. The two are not mutually exclusive. A leader can and should lead change with passion while exercising sound judgement. Make sense?
Good reading. I never knew that people do not want a leader to play it safe. I thought it was the opposite.
Thanks Tommy. The key here is leadership – when people look to follow a leader, the expect the leader to lead. When people are looking to “play it safe” (and many people are) they don’t look for or need a leader.
Wow, this paragraph caused me to reflect: “Suddenly, there you were …” Yep, 35 years ago, I was hired as a district manager of a small chain of retail boutique stores – I had no idea how to manage, much less lead – but my boss believed in me, and the adventure began. I am thankful, and I’m reminded of the responsibility to look for that potential and believe in others!
I am thankful too, Natalie. Enjoy the journey!
“most people are not interested in following someone who is playing
it safe”
Michael this sounds like the stock market. Farragut’s famous phrase, “damn
the torpedoes, full speed ahead” mentality should not necessarily be the hallmark
of a leader. A leader should also be cautious and have good judgment. This is
not Robert Mitchum in Anzio, driving all the way to Rome without any opposition.
The bravado should be replaced by the three C’s, cautious, calculating and cautelous.
Thanks my friend – I appreciate your perspective. I could have developed this further – it’s difficult to do so in a short post.
Adventure literally means taking on unknown risk – as opposed to “playing it safe”. If a leader is leading change they are leading people at unknown risk. If one is “playing it safe” (rather than taking on unknown risk) there is no leadership.
This does not mean that a leader should throw caution, judgement, and planning to the wind while solely embracing bravado. The two are not mutually exclusive. A leader can and should lead change with passion while exercising sound judgement. Make sense?
May be at the initial stage you are torn between the two. As a seasoned leader you depend more on your methodicity, listening, commitment, control, caution, appreciation, check & balancing. Have I gone too far, Mike? Yours is more of exploratory & adventurous nature. God bless your adventurism!
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Dr. Devaraj. If I understand your perspective correctly – you consider adventure to be descriptive of certain leaders or leadership styles.
However, at its core, leadership involves change. If there is no change, there is no leadership.
Adventure literally means taking on unknown risk. If a seasoned or novice leader is leading change – regardless of how small or how great – they are leading people at unknown risk (adventure). Consequently, all leadership involves adventure. Without adventure (taking on unknown risk) there is no leadership.
What do you think?
I think there’s always a bit of anxiety. Though, I agree with Joe, more adventure. For me, the anxiety comes from realizing that others are looking to me for leadership. But the adventure and excitement comes from recognizing the good that can come to the lives of others as you lead!
Great post Mike, thanks!
Great insight Mark! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
More so adventure but sometimes anxiety. I don’t think it’s an either/or situation but a one of both/and.
Very true Joe. How have you learned to find a healthy balance between the two?
I like how we don’t have to wait to be leaders – whether by design or chance, we can start to lead from where we are. I also am trying to embrace the mystery – but the planner in me wants to know the destination and the route!
GREAT point Tom. We can evaluate our current strengths and use them as leaders now, but also seek to develop our areas of opportunity at the same time.
Me too, David!
Very inspirational! I’m an aspiring educational leader. I’m starting to be more cognizant of all my behaviors and actions that reflect my leadership abilities and qualities. I’m taking more risks and developing the courage to speak up about what is right for children. I believe that this awareness will help me develop the confidence and the aptitude to lead successfully in the future.
That’s great Tagrid! Seeking to learn and grow is definitely an asset in any leader.